




























f ) t 

L W v N 




Price 50 Cents. 




OUR ARMY 


AT 


I 0 N T E R E T. 


BY T. B. THOBPE, 

Author of “Our Army on the Rio Grande,” &c. 


WITH ENGRAVINGS, 


And a Map drawn by Lieut. Benjamin. 


Price 50 Cents . 


PHILADELPHIA: 

CAREY & HART, 126 CHESNUT STREET. 

NEW YORK: BURGESS, STRINGER & CO. 

Sale by G. B. Zieber Sr Co., Philadelphia; W. H. Graham, and Berford 
8f Co. New York; Redding Sp Co. Boston; Wm. Taylor Sr Co. and 
N. Hickman, Baltimore; Drinker Sr Morris and Nash Sr Woodhouse, 
Richmond, Va. ; J. W. Cook, Pittsburg; G. W. Noble, Louisville, Ky.; 

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J. C. Morgan, J. B. Steel and B. M. Norman, New Orleans, 
and M. Boullemet, Mobile. 

1848. 









New Works, Recently Published. 

THE AMERICAN IN PARIS. 

BY JOHN SANDERSON. 

In Two Volumes, 12mo., Third Edition. 

C( ( The American in Paris,’ in two volumes. I wish it were in five times 
the number, if they were all carried on in the same spirit. This is the most 
animated, graceful, and intelligent sketch of French manners, or any other, that 
we have had for twenty years. If by an actual, bona fide son' of the mighty 
land beyond the western main, the Americans have made a va progress 1 . lou 
waiting, or the writer has left his countrymen a vast distance b md. l and. >r 
Monthly Magazine. 


THE PUBLIC MEN OF THE REVOLUTION. 

INCLUDING EVENTS FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE 

PEACE OF 1815. 

IN A SERIES OF LETTERS BY THE LATE 

Hon. WM. SULLIVAN, LL.D., 

With a Biographical Sketch of the Author, 

AND ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REFERENCES BY HIS SON, 

JOHN T. S. SULLIVAN. 

Complete in One Volume, 8vo. ; with a Portrait. Price $2 00. 


WASHINGTON 

AND THE 

GENERALS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

COMPLETE IN TWO VOLUMES, 

With Sixteen Portraits on Steel from Original 

Pictures, 

CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF EIGHTY-EIGHT MAJOR 
AND BRIGADIER GENERALS; WHICH INCLUDE ALL 
THOSE WHO ACTED UNDER COMMISSIONS 
FROM CONGRESS. 


MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENS OF FRANCE. 

BY MRS. FORBES BUSH. 

Dedicated by express permission to Her Majesty the Queen 

of the French, 

AND CONTAINING A MEMOIR OF HER MAJESTY. 

FROM THE SECOND LONDON EDITION. 

In 2 Vols.y small 8uo., with Portraits. Bound in Scarlet Cloth. 







In the centre is the “Citadelon the right are the hills Confederation and Independence, on which are situated the “ Bishop’s Palace” and 
olher forts ; on the left, the forts defending the town. The volunteers approached the city between the citadel and the forts on the left, the regulars 
under Gen. Worth, circuitously moved round to the right. 






























































































































































































































































ENTRY INTO MONTEREY. 







































































































































OUR ARMY AT 



GUARD-HOUSE. 


PHILADELPHIA: CAREY & HART. 

1848. 



















































































































































































































































OUR ARMY 

AT 

MONTEREY. 

BEING 

A CORRECT ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND EVENTS WHICH 
OCCURRED TO THE “ ARMY OF OCCUPATION” 

UNDER THE COMMAND OF 

MAJOR GENERAL TAYLOR, 

FROM THE TIME OF LEAVING MATAMOROS TO THE SURRENDER 

OF MONTEREY 

WITH A DESCRIPTION OF 

0 

THE THREE DAYS’ BATTLE AND THE STORMING 

OF MONTEREY: 

THE CEREMONIES ATTENDING THE SURRENDER: 

TOGETHER WITH 

_ THE PARTICULARS OF THE CAPITULATION. 

ILLUSTRATED BY A VIEW OF THE CITY, 

AND A MAP DRAWN BY LIEUT. BENJAMIN, U. S. A 


BY T. B. THORPE, 

AUTHOR OF u OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE,” “ TOM OWEN, THE BEE-HUNTER,” ETC 


PHILADELPHIA. 

PUBLISHED BY CAREY AND HART 

1847. 


Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1847, by 
CAREY AND HART, 

.n the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 




STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON & CO., 
PHILADELPHIA. 

PRINTED BY T. K. & P. O. COLLINS. 




O 

(L<rp 


"L 






PREFACE. 


The publication of “ Our Army on the Rio Grande,” sug¬ 
gested to the author to continue the history of the campaign. 
The present volume records the most important events up to 
the capitulation of Monterey. Every effort has been made to 
obtain the most authentic materials ; and the author is under 
obligations to many officers of the army for items of interest. 
The official reports appended will form the best collateral evi¬ 
dence of the truthfulness of the details in the description of 
the battle, and to them the author particularly refers the reader 
who may honor this volume with a perusal. It is a source of 
Vegret that, in the obituary notices, an epitome of the lives 
of all the officers who fell could not be given. The materials 
for such notes the author found it impossible to obtain. Trust¬ 
ing that it may save some noble act of gallantry from oblivion, 
the volume is respectfully submitted to the public. 

Another volume, containing the history of the campaign up 
to the battle of Buena Vista, will be issued soon. 


in 


Louisiana, June , 1847 . 
























































• * * 

N- 




- 






































/ 

- 

































. 











































CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. 

Movement towards Reyonoso—Col. Wilson’s command—Preaching in Mexico 
—The town of Reyonoso—Canales—Steamers on the Rio Grande—Inde¬ 
pendence of Northern Mexico—High water—4th of July celebration—Volun¬ 
teer camp—City of Matamoros.9 

CHAPTER II. 

Movement of the Seventh Regiment—Paredes—Catholic clergy—Men of Mata¬ 
moros—Romance of the country—La Gran Querira—Capt. Thornton’s 
defence—Camargo—Amusing incident—Indians—Capt. Vinton—Mier—De¬ 
scription of it—Mier prisoners—The battle of the Texians—Evidences of the 
contest.15 

CHAPTER III. 

Gen. Taylor leaves Matamoros for Camargo—His early departure—Capt. 
Duncan—Interruption of a dance—Proclamation by order of the Government 
—Grand Review—March towards Seralvo.26 

CHAPTER IV. 

News from Monterey—Advance of the troops.—Appearance of the country— 
Volunteer regiments—Gen. Taylor leaves Camargo—Seralvo—Its appearance 
—The cathedral—Gen. Taylor’s orders—Mexican proclamations - - 32 

CHAPTER V. 

Merine—Scenery—Letter from the Spanish consul—Movement of the army— 
Alarm of the mule drivers.—Arrival of Gen. Henderson—Monterey in the 
distance—Order of battle—Grove of St. Domingo.43 

CHAPTER VI. 

Morning of the 21st—An express from General Worth—The reconnoissance— 
Formation of the line of battle—Gen. Taylor’s orders—Col. Garland’s ad¬ 
vance—Lieut. Dilworth—Battle commences—Volunteer division ordered for¬ 
ward—Tennessee regiment—Col. Garland’s command—Major Lear—Col. 
Watson—Major Barbour—Lieut. Terrett—Capt. Williams—Capt. Bragg’s 
battery—Capt. Bacchus—Gen. Quitman’s division—Lieut. Hoskins—Lieut. 
Woods—Charge of the Mississippi and Tennessee regiments - - 48 

A 2 


V 



VI 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER VII. 

The Ohio regiment—Gen. Butler—Mexican cavalry—Bragg’s, Ridgely’s, and 
Webster’s batteries—Col. Garland’s command—The lete du pont —Destruc¬ 
tive fire—Capt. L. N. Morris—Major Graham—Capt. Bainbridge—Mexican 
lancers—The battle-field—The wounded—Lieut. Skerrett—The close of the 
day—Gen. Taylor in battle.56 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The morning of the 21st—Gen. Worth’s division—Charge of the lancers— 
Death of a Mexican colonel—West side of Monterey—Capt. McKavett— 
Capt. C. F. Smith’s command—Storming of Federation hill—The Eighth Re¬ 
giment—The Fifth, and Blanchard’s Louisianians—Carrying the heights— 
Gen. P. F. Smith—The second fort carried—Nightfall 63 

CHAPTER IX. 

Morning of the 22d—Gen. Worth’s division—Storming of the height above the 
Bishop’s palace—Lieut. Col. Child’s command—Independence hill—Disco¬ 
very of the storming party—Scene from the heights—Gillespie and Thomas 
—Lieut. Roland—Preparations for assaulting the Bishop’s palace—Mexican 
cavalry—They charge—Retreat—Taking of the palace—Operations of the 
First Division—Close of the day -------- 70 

CHAPTER X. 

Morning of the 23d—Fort Diablo—Order of battle—Gen. Quitman’s division— 
Gen. Henderson’s command—Gen. Lamar and Col. Woods—Terrible assault 
—Its effects—Letter from Gov. Morales—The Second Division—Entrance 
into the city—Eastern end of the city—Gen. Ampudia—The plaza—Night¬ 
fall .75 

CHAPTER XI. 

Morning of the 24th—Flag of truce—Letter accompanying it—Answer—Inci¬ 
dent of the preceding day—Meeting of the American and Mexican command¬ 
ers—Their appearance—Deception on the part of the Mexican commissioners 
—Terms of the capitulation—Gen. Taylor—Final agreement - - 82 

CHAPTER XII. 

Morning of the 25th—Difficulty of wording the terms of the capitulation_Its 

consummation—Effect of the capitulation upon the Mexicans—Surrender of 
the citadel—Appearance of the enemy—Description of the citadel—Interior 
of the city—The Montereyans—Marching out of the Mexican troops_De¬ 
parture of Gen. Ampudia.89 


CHAPTER XIII. 

The capitulation of Monterey—Opinions thereon of one of the commissioners_ 

Different character of the assaults upon the city—Defences of the eastern 








vn 


CONTENTS. 




side—Of the western—Gen. Worth’s position—Difficulties under which Col. 
Garland laboured—Obstinacy of the defence at the eastern part of the city—• 
Mexican anticipations of an assault—Historical reminiscences suggested by 
the city of Monterey.98 


CHAPTER XIV. 

Gen. Ampudia—His character—His despatch announcing the surrender of 
Monterey—His proclamation to the people of northern Mexico—Proclamation 
of the acting President of Mexico.106 

CHAPTER XV. 

Monterey—Its situation—Character of its buildings—Incidents in its history— 
Entrance to the city—The main plaza—The cathedral—Halls of justice— 
Trophies of war—Fortifications of the eastern part of the city—Of the west¬ 
ern—-Arista’s palace—Hospital—Cemetery.112 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Monterey after the surrender—Its cathedral—Gov. Morales and Gen. Taylor— 
Misunderstanding—Mexican insensibility to kindness—Letter from a citizen 
—Social life—Female character—Superiority of the Mexican women - 118 


OBITUARY. 

Lieut. Col. W. H. Watson—Major W. W. Lear—Major P. N. Barbour—Capt. 
L. N. Morris—Capt. W. G. Williams—Capt. Henry McKavett—Capt. George 
P. Field—Capt. Randolph Ridgely—Capt. R. A. Gillespie—Lieut. Charles 
Hoskins—Lieut. R. H. Graham—Lieut. D. S. Irwin—Lieut. J. S. Woods— 
Lieut. John C. Terrett—Lieut. R. Hazlitt—Lieut. R. Dilworth - - 127 


OFFICIAL REPORTS. 

Despatches of Gen. Taylor—Letters from Gov. Morales and Gen. Ampudia— 
Terms of capitulation of the city of Monterey—Reports of Generals Butler, 
Hamer, Quitman, Worth, Twiggs, Henderson, and Col. Garland—Gen. 
Worth’s general order—Names of the killed, wounded, and missing—Loss 
of the Mexicans at Monterey.147 











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RXPIiAXATIOXS 

.Vejcican Ambus cade , afternoon of?OP Septbr 
lard into which AtejcitsmsTiredcdtniejfhtfaU on '2U' h 
Charge ofAfeocican -Lancers on morn an/ of 21 ” 

Position of 2 f Division on 2J‘‘ 

Seitjhf stormed hr Cof Chi his on 22’.' 

Bishop's Pula re earned on 22:' 

Wriepit stormed hy (apt.Smith j' pa/fvand TC Tnfantrnm 21'. 
Redoubt stormed by deni .Smith on 2J1 
Aristas house and a or den 

(livrrh and mastery with loop holes for musketry. 

P/axuehi de Came 
■Snudl Plnxa. 
frrnnd Plnxa 
Citadel 
.Ifortar. 

PQR Positions occupied hr our troops mi the morning of the 24 A 

1 Timan, a Pedonbt at4puns assaulted and earned on the morning 

of the ill hi s> S Pivi.no a 

2 A’l Diablo, a Redoubt af 3 aims 

3 &.'{ Air east work. 

Trie dePmnt 

6 Redoubt of A guns 

7 Redouht offgunf 

a a a Line of barricades. 

JBuildings of different kinds\ 

These Lines sh ow the position of Coni fields 
'PCs. t Chaparral 


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MONTEREY 

AND ITS APPROACHES. 


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OUR ARMY 


AT 

MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER I. 

Movement towards Reyonoso—Col. Wilson’s command—Preaching in Mexico— 
The town of Reyonoso—Canales—Steamers on the Rio Grande—Independ¬ 
ence of Northern Mexico—High-water—4th of July celebration—Volunteer 
camp—City of Matamoros. 

The first movement that was made in demonstration of pene¬ 
trating into the interior of Mexico, by American troops, which 
followed the events immediately connected with the battles of the 
“8th and 9th,” 1846, occurred on the 5th of June, 1846, when 
Lieut. Col. Wilson, with the first regiment of U. S. Infantry, 
Capt. Thomas’s Artillery, and Capt. Price’s Texan Rangers, took 
up his line of march for Reyonoso, a small town between sixty 
and seventy miles above Matamoros, on the Rio Grande. A few 
days previous to this event, the Alcalde and several important 
citizens of that town had waited on Gen. Taylor, offering a sur¬ 
render of the place, and expressing a desire to come under the 
protection of the American flag. The Mexicans departed on their 
way homeward, evidently delighted with their visit to the Ameri¬ 
cans, but unfortunately for their happiness and longevity, they 
fell into the hands of Canales, who robbed them of their valuables, 
and, it is reported, showed his enthusiasm in the cause of his 
native land, by murdering the Alcalde. 

This movement of Col. Wilson was the first step towards Mon¬ 
terey, the possession of which city Gen. Taylor considered im¬ 
portant, as it commanded the passes in the mountains, that con¬ 
nected northern Mexico with the capital. On the Sabbath pre- 

9 


10 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


ceding the movement of CoL Wilson, Capt. R. A. Stewart, of 
the Andrew Jackson regiment of Louisiana Volunteers, a minister 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, preached at the head-quarters 
of Gen. Worth, on the west side of the Rio Grande. His con¬ 
gregation was composed of the officers and men of the regular 
army, and a few civilians. This sermon was the first preached 
by a Protestant clergyman in Mexico, and in the history of the 
religious movement in that country, will ever he one of interest. 

Col. Wilson, with his command, arrived at Reyonoso, after a 
hot and fatiguing march of four days and a half, and immediately 
despatched the news to Gen. Taylor, stating that he had met with 
no resistance to his march. 

The town was found to be situated on the west side of the 
river ; it was built upon a solid limestone rock, and contained be¬ 
tween eight hundred and a thousand inhabitants. The buildings 
presented quite a substantial appearance, and gave evidence of its 
having been in former times a place of some business activity. 
The inhabitants of the country generally were found to have 
abandoned their residences and removed into the interior. This 
was caused by proclamations from Monterey and elsewhere, noti¬ 
fying the inhabitants that they should be treated as “traitors” if 
they held any intercourse with the “invaders of the soil.” 

Col. Wilson, on his arrival at Reyonoso, was authorized to throw 
up intrenchments and fortify the place, but finding the plaza sur¬ 
rounded by heavy stone buildings, he occupied it, and without 
much trouble put it in such a state of defence, that he was 
relieved from all anxiety with respect to assault from the enemy. 

The country through which our army passed was exceedingly 
beautiful, a mixture of chaparral, prairie, and rich land. The 
farm-houses looked miserable and in ruin. Every thing of nature’s 
creation smiled; but man’s work seemed to be under a curse, the 
curse of a miserable government, and of besotted ignorance among 
the people. 

The establishment of Col. Wilson at Reyonoso was followed by 
the return of the inhabitants to their homes, who expressed a 
lively degree of pleasure that the Americans had arrived among 


STEAMERS ON THE RIO GRANDE. 


11 


hem for their protection. It seemed that Canales, who had been 
compelled to retire with his marauders, represented a class of 
worthies, (answering to the “cow-boys,” of our Revolutionary 
history,) who preyed on the weak of either side; and that his 
proclamations against our advance were only issued to form 
groundwork for plundering his unoffending countrymen. Of this 
nan it is said, that he joined Gen. Anaya, in 1839, with a 
colonel’s command, in an attempt to revolutionize northern Mex¬ 
ico. With about five hundred Texians, he penetrated the country 
is far as Saltillo, and in the midst of storming that place, deserted 
the Texians, joined the “centralists,” and thus defeated the object 
[)f the expedition. 

Soon after the occupation of Reyonoso, steamers began to ply 
merrily upon the Rio Grande, much to the astonishment of the 
original inhabitants, and which, joined with the long wagon trains 
that were constantly moving up the country, gave every thing a 
bustling appearance. In earlier times, when Stephen Austin (so 
much identified with the early history of Texas) first received his 
immense grant of land from the Mexican government, he intro¬ 
duced a small steamer upon the river. It soon began to drive a 
most profitable trade, purchasing from the inhabitants many things 
before valueless for want of transportation ; the muleteers, the 
“regular carriers,” became alarmed, and petitioned the central 
government to abolish “the innovation ;” they were successful, and 
the commerce of the river was thus checked in its advance towards 
prosperity. 

The country was still unsettled; rumours constantly reached 
Reyonoso, that the Mexicans were preparing to attack that place. 
Carrabijol, a follower of Canales, was known to be scouring the 
country for horses, in order to organize a cavalry force. 

There is foundation for believing, that at the very time our troops 
moved towards the Rio Grande, there was a concerted plan among 
the inhabitants of northern Mexico, to declare themselves inde¬ 
pendent of the central government, and this Carrabijol visited 
Gen. Taylor’s camp at Corpus Chrisli, on a mission connected 
with this subject, but received no encouragement from the stem 


12 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY'. 


old soldier. Arista was reputed among his own countrymen, for 
a long time, to be favorable to such a movement. He was a 
powerful citizen, and much dreaded by the government; his ap¬ 
pointment to supersede Ampudia in the command of the northern 
army created much surprise, and, probably, awakened in Arista’s 
breast a new ambition, for he believed that in crushing Gen. Tay¬ 
lor, who seemed to be within his grasp, he should not only be 
able to lead in the northern provinces, but extend his sway to the 
capital itself. 

Although it was now drawing towards the end of June, and 
always considered “the dry season” in Mexico, the country was 
deluged with rain. The San Juan poured out its waters into the 
Rio Grande, as if all the fountains of the Sierra Madre had been 
broken up. The Rio Grande gradually rose over its banks, leav¬ 
ing but little part of the country above the flood. The green 
fields and rolling landscape, so recently dotted over with white 
tents, disappeared, leaving but a few small islands on which sol¬ 
diers could cluster. Fort Brown became half filled with water, 
the ravine of the battle-field of Resaca de la Palma bore a rolling 
flood, which extended over Palo Alto and the surrounding prai¬ 
ries, quite cutting off all communication with Point Isabel. Enor¬ 
mous cat and gar-fish were seen floundering over the battle-fields, 
their voracious maws becoming the graves of the unburied dead. 

A hot tropical sun poured down its fierce rays upon our troops, 
a large portion of whom were without proper tents; and many 
slept in the open air, surrounded with water; musquitoes, and 
innumerable noxious insects of immense size, filled the air, and 
at night murdered sleep. In the midst of all these evils, as might 
have been expected, bilious and other fevers began to make their 
appearance among the soldiers. Volunteers, under the requisi¬ 
tion of Major Gen. Gaines, continued to pour in from many of the 
United States. The means of transportation being unequal to the 
demand, Gen. Taylor found it impossible to make prompt move¬ 
ments towards the interior, in doing which, while prosecuting 
the w r ar, he could have chosen healthy locations for'the troops 
under his command. 


FOURTH OF JULY. 


13 


The approach of our National Anniversary was hailed on the 
Rio Grande with unusual enthusiasm, and preparations were 
made to celebrate it with becoming splendour and appropriate¬ 
ness. The military array, the firing of the heavy cannon and 
other arms, so recently engaged in deadly strife; the active part 
taken by the heroes, whose laurels still proudly crowned their 
brows, made the circumstances under which it was to be com¬ 
memorated peculiarly imposing. At daylight on the 4th of July, 
the spirit-stirring drum beat the reveille at daylight, at the various 
encampments, with unusual vivacity. The heavy eighteen pound¬ 
ers from Fort Brown, that had slumbered so profoundly since the 
“8th,” announced, along the Rio Grande, that the anniversary of 
our glorious independence had returned; the heavy booming 
sounds were answered back from “Paredes,” while Ridgely’s, 
Duncan’s, and JJragg’s batteries added to the universal roar. 
Beneath the stars and stripes that waved over the head-quarters 
of Gen. Taylor, were heard the soul-inspiring strains of “Hail, 
Columbia,” interrupted with repeated cheering from ten thousand 
Americans. 

The principal point of attraction was in the camp opposite 
Matamoros, composed of two regiments of Louisiana volunteers, 
and the head-quarters of Gen. P. F. Smith, commanding the 
volunteer brigade; the mention of the ceremonies of which will 
serve as a type of the whole. 

Breakfast fairly dispensed with, the troops met on full parade, 
and marched to head-quarters, where Gen. Taylor had already 
arrived to participate in the celebration. By particular request 
the Rev. W. H. Crenshaw, Chaplain to the Andrew Jackson 
Regiment, opened the ceremonies with an elegant and appropriate 
prayer, after which Wolman Nichols read the Declaration of In¬ 
dependence, followed by O. N. Ogden, who pronounced the ora¬ 
tion,—these gentlemen being attached to Gen. Smith’s staff. Gen. 
Taylor then reviewed the two regiments, and the multitude assem¬ 
bled to partake of the dinner prepared for the occasion. 

The manner of serving it up is worthy of notice: it was 
characteristic of the time and place. The total want of timber in 
B 




14 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Mexico makes plank almost impossible to obtain, it was therefore 
necessary to provide for a table in other than the usual manner. 
A piece of ground was accordingly marked out, sufficiently long 
and wide for the “ hospitable board,” on each side of which a 
trench was dug fifteen inches wide, and sufficiently deep to afford 
a comfortable seat. Upon the “ preemption” appropriated for the 
table were laid matting and the “flags” of tents, and then the 
eatables and drinkables that were to be consumed in this novel and 
patriotic dinner. Precisely at noon, a national salute was again 
fired from the head-quarters of each regiment, on both sides of the 
river, when the officers of the regular and volunteer divisions of 
the army took their seats at the table. 

The city of Matamoros presented a strange spectacle: all was 
bustle and confusion; advertisements on the fronts of the different 
houses announced “fourth of July dinners,” ajad fandangos in 
“honour of the day.” A company of mountebanks paraded the 
streets, and cut their fantastic tricks in the Plaza . After passing 
“their hat” around for remuneration, they struck up their rude 
music, which consisted of a bass drum and primitive clarionet. 
Decked in their feathers and gew-gaws, and headed by a little girl 
who stood upon the bare back of a mule, bearing a little flag on 
which was emblazoned Compania del Norte , they would for 
awhile thread the principal streets previous to another “ grand 
performance.” 

At noon, to the surprise of the Americans, the cathedral bell 
commenced ringing, and the “ sacred cannon” belonging to the 
church gave a salute ; this was looked upon as a most cordial 
joining in of the natives, in the festivities <?f the day, as had pre¬ 
viously been noticed in the universally gay attire of the citizens 
of the town, and the festival preparations in the grand plaza; but, 
upon inquiry, it was learned that the 4th of July was some 
“saint-day” in the Mexican calendar, that required these demon¬ 
strations. 


MARCH FOR CAM ARGO. 


15 


CHAPTER II. 

Movement of the Seventh Regiment—Paredes—Catholic clergymen arrive at 
Matamoros—Romance of the country—La Gran Quevira—Capt. Thornton’s 
defence—Camargo—Amusing incident—Indians—Capt. Vinton—Mier—De¬ 
scription of it—Mier prisoners—The battle of the Texians—Evidences of the 
contest. 

* 

The river was now slowly retiring within its banks, and the sum¬ 
mer heat became unusually oppressive for the season, which bore 
heavily upon our soldiers. 

On the 6th of July, the Seventh regiment, under command of 
Capt. Miles, left the walls of Fort Brown, which it had so long 
and so gallantly defended, and started for Camargo, via Reyonoso. 

The news of the election of Paredes to the Presidency of 
Mexico on the 12th of June, reached Matamoros. His address to 
Congress and the people of Mexico, and his asking leave to head 
the army against the “invaders of the North,” revived the idea 
that the Mexicans would make a decided resistance. The war 
excitement began to prevail anew, and Monterey was looked for¬ 
ward to with increasing interest, because it was understood that 
there the enemy would probably make their first great demonstra¬ 
tion in hostile array. 

On the 8th day of July, two clergymen, the Rev. Messrs. 
McEJroy and Rey, of the Roman Catholic church, appointed 
chaplains to the U. S. Army, for the soldiers belonging to that 
church, arrived in Matamoros. 

A curious story was repeated along the Rio Grande about this 
time, which was remarkable for its romantic novelty, and for its 
evident intent, viz.: the invasion of the country. It was reported 
that in the interior there was buried treasure of immense amount. 
The idlers and hangers-on about the camps caught up the idea 
of seeking for it, and the prospect for a time was, that a party of 
as wild adventurers as the world ever saw, would be banded to- 



16 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


gether for the visionary purpose of “ money-hunting.” The tra¬ 
dition ran as follows :— 

LA GRAN aUEVIRA. 

Years ago, in the centre of “the first ridge” of the Rocky 
Mountains, and not two hundred miles from the Rio Grande, where 
the great road crosses at El paso del Norte , there was a great and 
flourishing city. It was remarkable for its massive buildings, 
industrious population, and great wealth. In the suburbs of this 
city were mines where the gold and silver lay in almost unadulte¬ 
rated heaps. Removing the thin soil that covered the hills, ex¬ 
posed untold treasure; in this way the inhabitants waxed great 
and revelled in every luxury. 

Twenty miles from this city there gushed out of the side of the 
mountain an abundant spring of water, which was brought to La 
Gran Quevira by means of a beautiful aqueduct made of stone 
and costly cement. From the main reservoir there ran through 
the streets constant streams, refreshing the air with their coolness, 
and forcing vegetation, until the city became a fairy land. A 
splendid church was erected from the money paid by the citizens 
for the privilege of using the pure water from this aqueduct; it 
was, in fact, a religious observance to pay liberally for its blessings. 
The church towered far above the surrounding country; its spires 
of burnished gold pierced the heavens. The natives of the region 
looked upon it with awe, and almost worshipped the people of La 
Gran Quevira. 

In an evil hour the inhabitants of this favored city roused the 
vengeance of a chief who had a commanding influence among the 
aboriginal population, and had, by his intercourse with the whites, 
become acquainted with the value of gold. He resented the im¬ 
pressment of his people to work as slaves among the mines. He 
excited envy and jealousy against their task-masters in the hordes 
with which he was surrounded. And, at a time when the citizens 
were making great preparations to export the treasure gathered for 
years, the Indians suddenly appeared, bearing aloft black flags, 
and swearing death to their oppressors. La Gran Quevira was 


LA GRAN QUEVIRA. 


17 


well fortified by nature, and the invaders for awhile were kept at 
a distance. But consternation had seized upon the people, and 
they buried their silver, gold, and precious stones, to the amount 
of untold millions, because they looked upon this as the cause of 
their present misery, and they also wished to secrete their wealth 
to be removed at a future time. The Indians, after several unsuc¬ 
cessful attempts to carry the city by storm, finally thought of a 
desperate expedient, and destroyed the great aqueduct that watered 
the city ; from that time the inhabitants despaired, and, upon a 
grim night, broke out in a mass, endeavoring to escape to their 
friends south of the mountains, but in this they were unsuccessful; 
they were fallen upon and massacred, but two persons escaping to 
tell the tale. 

The victors now entered the city; to their surprise they found 
little gold or silver, and no food; half famished and enraged, they 
put the torch to La Gran Quevira , and left it at night by the light 
of the conflagration. A large number of the houses were de¬ 
stroyed, but the grand church remained almost unharmed, tower¬ 
ing over the ruins with its blackened walls, a worthy monument of 
the event that made it isolated amid a desert. 

Of those who escaped, one of the two reached New Orleans, then 
under the Spanish dominion. A great number of men were raised 
by him, who started for New Mexico, and crossed the Sabine, 
but from that time they were never heard of. Quite recently, it had 
been stated, that a party of Americans and a Frenchman, having 
been lost in Mexico, came unexpectedly upon the ruins of a great 
city ; they were led to it by following an aqueduct, leading from a 
spring near which they had encamped. To their surprise, this 
extraordinary work led to the ruins of a remarkable church, and in 
the neighborhood were openings in the mountains, evidently of 
mines. Knowing nothing of the story of La Gran Quevira, they 
paid little attention to what they saw, and when they found the 
way to a part of the country with which they were familiar, they 
could not themselves locate exactly the whereabouts of the deserted 
city, but their story repeated on the Rio Grande revived the slum- 
13 2 2 


18 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


bering tradition, and there was not wanting, at the time we write 
of, daring spirits ready to undertake the search. 

On the 11th of July, a general court-martial, by order of the 
President, assembled at Matamoros, Gen. Worth being president ; 
Capt. Thornton, among others, was tried. The events that led to 
this gallant officer’s being before the court, from the peculiar cir¬ 
cumstances attending the capture of his command, created great 
interest in the United States. Capt. Barbour, Third Infantry, 
and Lieut. Bragg, Third Artillery, assisted Capt. Thornton in the 
court. On Wednesday the 14th, Lieut. Bragg presented the 
written defence.* 

Capt. Thornton commenced by stating that a long established 
principle of his profession, and a stern sense of duty on the part 
of his accusers, had brought him before the court in his present 
position. Success, he was aware, was with military men often the 
test of merit ; yet he hoped to be able to show, even if he was not 
successful in his expedition, his failure was not owing to the omis¬ 
sion of necessary precaution. 

On the night of the 24th of April, with a command of three com¬ 
missioned officers and fifty rank and file, he was ordered to recon¬ 
noitre a country some twenty-seven miles in extent, and to bring 
information whether the enemy had crossed the Rio Bravo, his 
numbers, and his position ; and he had also further vested orders 
from the commanding general, to ascertain, if possible, whether 
he had crossed his artillery, and to report by the next day at 12 
o’clock. He referred to the testimony of Capt. Hardee and Lieut. 
Kane, for the manner in which he executed these instructions. 
He regretted that he could not lay before the court the testimony 
of Lieut. Mason, but regarded his loss as nothing, compared with 
that of the friends and relations of the gallant young officer, who 
fell, as he had lived, in the discharge of his duty. 

From the recapitulation of the testimony of Capt. Hardee and 
Lieut. Kane, in the defence, it appears that every precaution was 

* The epitome of the defence given is from the “ Matamoros Flag.” 



CAPT. THORNTON’S TRIAL. 


19 


used to guard against surprise—that an advance guard was thrown 
out, that flankers were impossible, for the most part, from the 
nature of the country, it being a perfect defile, admitting at times a 
single horseman with difficulty ; that whenCapt. Thornton halted 
his squadron to rest his men and horses, which was extremely 
necessary, a sentinel was placed at both ends of the road, so 
that no one could approach without his knowledge. About day¬ 
light next morning the command proceeded towards the river, and 
to the constant inquiries made of every one that was met, “ whether 
the enemy had crossed,” the reply was, “ he had,” but all spoke 
from rumor—this Capt. Thornton believed to be unreliable au¬ 
thority, upon which he could not base a report, and he referred, as 
an evidence of this, to the numerous false rumors with which the 
American camp had abounded for a month previous. Capt. 
Thornton alluded to the suspicious conduct of his guide, which 
induced him to doubt his fidelity, and subsequent events, he thought, 
proved that he was employed, in connection with other spies, to lead 
him into a position from which retreat was impossible. Subse¬ 
quent information, upon which he could rely, satisfied him that his 
return to camp had been cut off; that the enemy was in his rear 
with a force of five hundred cavalry and a party of Indians. Upon 
the receipt of this information, he redoubled his precautions—he 
increased his advance guard, and placed it under the command of 
Lieut. Mason, with minute instructions to keep ahead and be vigi¬ 
lant, but not to fire upon the enemy, unless forced to do so. From 
this time Capt. Thornton proceeded without a guide, Capito having 
deserted him. Capt. Thornton here argued, and we think conclu¬ 
sively proved, that an attempt to return would have been more disas¬ 
trous than his move forward ; he also contended that a rear guard, 
with such a small force, would have been untactical, and, in his 
opinion, unnecessary ; and further, that it was not prescribed. The 
rear was assigned to Capt. Hardee, and he never left it without 
being ordered back by Capt. Thornton. He went on further to 
state, that if the command had obeyed his instructions, they would 
not have entered the field in which they were afterwards captured ; 


20 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. . 


but he remarked, “ no precaution from myself, or any one else, 
could have altered the result; our fate was sealed long before enter¬ 
ing that field.” 

Capt. Thornton here summed up the facts of the case, as 
shown by the testimony, from which it appears he had two respon¬ 
sible and somewhat variant duties to perform, that of commander 
of the squadron, and reconnoitering officer; for a guide, a Mex¬ 
ican of doubtful fidelity; a country of twenty-seven miles in ex¬ 
tent, with which he was totally unacquainted, and fifteen hours, 
and eight of them in the night, to perform his duty in. In the 
opinion of his officers, bis rear could have gained by day without 
his being able to know it. Spies were upon his actions from the 
time of his leaving the army, until his capture. Ordered to 
keep an attitude of peace, until the first blow should be struck. 
The following portion of this manly and soldier-like defence struck 
us so forcibly, that we believe we can repeat it verbatim :—“ It 
was my misfortune,” said Capt. Thornton, “ to secure that first 
blow upon my devoted head, but it had to be secured, and why 
not by me ?” Capt. Thornton here continued that the information 
he obtained was important; that by means of capture Gen. Tay¬ 
lor was able to understand his real position; that he was no longer 
on debated ground, and as an evidence of this, referred to the 
immediate call for reinforcements, the industry in the completing 
of Fort Brown, and the march to Point Isabel for provisions. 
But for the loss of his squadron, probably, the thanks of a grate¬ 
ful people would not now be showered upon the heroes of the 
battles of the Rio Grande, but, instead, the tears of widows and 
orphans might have been met with the usual indifference by the 
national legislature. Capt. Thornton reminded, that to prevent 
this he would be willing again to hide in his bosom the only 
bleeding heart amid the rejoicings of a victorious army. Capt. 
Thornton here remarked, that if he neglected any of the usual 
precautions, it was from want of knowledge, and begged the 
court to acquit him of neglect, and to find a verdict, if necessary, 
against him for incapacity. He then referred to his services m 



ENTRANCE INTO CAMARGO. 


21 


Florida, and thought the manner in which he discharged his 
duties there, well known to some of the court, would enable him 
to defy such an imputation. Capt. Thornton concluded by saying, 
that his honor and military reputation were in the hands of the 
court; that the country had found her’s safe in their hands, and 
with confidence he submitted his to them. 

Capt. Thornton was honorably acquitted by the court, of the 
charges brought against him. 

Camargo was taken possession of, on the 14th of July, no re¬ 
sistance being made. It was ordered that a party of Texan 
Rangers should enter the town in the rear, while the small party 
of regulars detailed for the purpose should approach from the 
front. The steamer which conveyed the regulars was groping 
its way along at night, but a little south of Camargo, as ignorant 
of the hearings of the river as the officer of the expedition was 
as to the character of his reception in the town. When, in the 
midst of those difficulties and doubts, a light was seen glimmering 
on shore—the pilot neared it, and, with stentorian lungs, demanded, 
in round Spanish, u De Quicn es ese Rancho?'’'’ 

“It’s my Rancho,” answered a good Yankee voice, from out of 
the chaparral. “It’s my Rancho, and who has any claims against 
it?” 

“If you are an American, come on board,” was the authorita¬ 
tive return. 

/ 

“I will at once, soldier,” said a stalwart-looking man, as he 
stepped on the deck of the steamer. “I hail you in these parts, 
for I have been sleeping out some dozen nights, afraid of the 
treachery of the Mexicans; not that I fear them in a fair fight of 
a dozen or more at me at once, but I could not stand five hun¬ 
dred.” 

Here was an enterprising American citizen, full of patriotism, 
on “the search for town sites on the Rio Grande ;” he knew the 
people well; and ere the day had fairly dawned, he had com¬ 
pleted ail the preliminaries of the surrender of Camargo, and at 
the head or heel of our troops, as suited his humor best, he 
entered the city. 



22 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Camargo is on the south side of the San Juan, three miles from 
its entrance into the Rio Grande. It was, years ago, a town of 
considerable importance, and contained, probably, four thousand 
inhabitants ; but civil commotions, war, and lastly, the remark¬ 
able rise of the river, caused it to be comparatively deserted before 
our troops took possession of it. 

The material, of which its houses were built, being in most 
cases adobes, or sun-dried bricks, the moment the insidious water 
reached the foundations, they literally dissolved away, until a 
large portion of the city was in ruins. The church and main 
plaza escaped the general destruction, but more than six hundred 
private dwellings were either destroyed or rendered tenantless. 
This great misfortune fell upon the inhabitants at a time when 
they were least able to bear it, having already suffered immensely 
in the vicissitudes of war; as a last resort, they were obliged to 
seek for new homes among the hills, and begin the world again. 

The moment our troops took possession of Camargo, it became 
a place of business in the most extended sense of the term. 
Steamboats constantly arrived with troops and “government stores 
the latter, in barrels, boxes, and bales, were piled up, mountain 
high, upon the river banks. A flag was erected in the plaza, 
under the folds of which were heard the lively strains of familiar 
music, and were seen the interminable marchings and counter¬ 
marchings of military manoeuvres. 

The Camanche Indians, as it would seem, taking advantage of 
the times, extended their predatory excursions even to the vicinity 
of Camargo. Rumors were constantly in circulation that great 
numbers of them were about murdering the inhabitants and steal¬ 
ing horses. It seemed incredible that such should be the case, 
when it was recollected how densely settled the country was; but 
it was the custom of the country to sutler without resistance, or 
flee, rather than contend with their Indian foes. 

Rumors from Monterey were, that several pieces of cannon had 
been mounted on some of the fortifications building, and that the 
department of New Leon had been called upon for a large requi¬ 
sition of troops. 


23 


THE M1ER PRISONERS. 

Capt. J. R. Vinton with one company of Third Artillery, and 
eight Texan Rangers, on the last day of July, 1846, marched quietly 
into Mier, and stacked arms in the plaza. While passing through 
the streets, the inhabitants, probably numbering three or four thou¬ 
sand, presented themselves as curious spectators. The change 
from the low ground and dilapidated houses of Camargo, was 
most favorable, for Mier was found to be pleasant and cleanly ; 
built upon a high hill which overlooked the country, on the clear 
running stream of the same name, that coursed along some three 
miles distant, and emptied into the Rio Grande. Mier, in the his¬ 
tory of the Texan struggle, is remarkable for the battle in 1842, 
between the Mexicans under Gen. Ampudia, and a force under 
Col. Fisher, who, after kilting more than twice his own number of 
men, was compelled to surrender. The marks of this sanguine 
conflict were still visible on the houses. 

In 1842, a Mexican foray was made against the town of San An¬ 
tonia, Texas, by one thousand three hundred Mexicans under Gen. 
Woll. The expedition was unauthorized by government, and was 
made up of desperadoes, whose only object was plunder. Gen. 
Houston, President of Texas, ordered eight hundred volunteers to 
meet at San Antonio, on the 27th of October, to chastise these 
Mexican invaders. The command was intrusted to Brig. Gen. 
Summerville. Disorganization, growing out of want of proper 
military power to enforce discipline, and other causes peculiar to 
the character of the men and the times, destroyed, to a great 
degree, the intentions of the expedition. One or two small 
Mexican towns on the Rio Grande were seized and made to pay 
heavy contributions. Gen. Summerville, disliking the course that 
events were taking, and deeming it imprudent to attack the im¬ 
mense force that was hourly approaching him, determined on 
retreating to the Texas frontier. Dissatisfaction here was openly 
expressed, and the command resolved itself into a popular as¬ 
sembly. The result was, that Gen. Summerville with about one 
hundred men took up his line of march for San Antonio; two 
hundred and seventy men remained behind, who were destined 
to become known to history as the “ Mier prisoners.” 


24 . 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Col. W. S. Fisher was chosen commander of this little band, 
which immediately marched to Mier, a city containing near five 
thousand inhabitants, and then holding within its strong walls 
Gen. Ampudia, w r ith three thousand regular troops ! A contribution 
was levied of five thousand dollars; upon the refusal of the pay¬ 
ment, it was decided to attack the city, although the odds against 
them had no parallel in the history of war. 

The battle began on the night of the 25th of December. It was 
exceedingly dark and rainy when this forlorn hope penetrated the 
streets, under a sweeping fire of heavy artillery, until they had 
secured a lodgement in the buildings they had selected for that 
purpose. The Texians, once under cover, reserved their fire until 
morning; the contest was then sanguinary beyond description and 
precedent. At early dawn, the Mexicans brought their artillery to 
bear upon the building in which the Texians were posted, and 
brought up their infantry in solid columns to the attack ; but they 
were mowed down by the deadly rifle, and the streets, which were 
somewhat precipitous, ran streams of blood. The artillerists were 
shot down at their pieces so constantly that they were often for 
several minutes silenced, and were finally lariated and dragged 
away. The action continued until over six hundred Mexicans 
were killed or mortally wounded, while, on the Texan side, there 
were but twelve killed and eighteen wounded. Ampudia at this 
time sent a white flag to the Texians, offering favorable terms of 
capitulation, which were acceded to by the Texians, only because 
their ammunition was almost expended. The terms of the surren¬ 
der were violated by both Ampudia and Santa Anna, in every 
particular, and the prisoners were compelled to undergo sufferings 
as unparalleled in history as was their achievement in arms before 
they surrendered. 

The ruined wall, the bent window bars, the signs of freshly laid 
masonry, still attested the severe conflict, and formed subjects of 
curious thought to those who witnessed them; and called forth a 
tear for the brave men, who suffered in the terrible attack that left 
such fearful evidences of the deadly strife. 

The cathedra] of Mier and many of the public buildings are 


DESCRIPTION OF MIER. 


25 


massive and imposing, and the people of a much superior character 
to those seen lower down on the Rio Grande. The grave-yard 
of the city, as is characteristic of all Catholic communities, was 
carefully kept, and ornamented at its entrance with a beautiful gate¬ 
way; and within were many imposing tombs, that made up the 
city of the dead. 


26 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER III. 

Gen. Taylor leaves Matamoros for Carnargo—His departure—Capt. Duncan— 
Interruption of a dance—Proclamation by order of the government—Grand 
review—Start for Seralvo. 4 

Gen. Taylor and staff Jeft Matamoros for Camargo on the 
5th of August, on the steamer Whitesville, on board of which there 
were few regulars and a part of the regiment of Texan infantry. 
He had endeared himself to the people of Matamoros, both Mexi¬ 
cans and Americans, and so long as he was in the vicinity, every 
one felt safe and happy. There was no announcement of his de¬ 
parture, no demonstration made, to signify that the commander-in¬ 
chief of the American army was about to change his quarters. 
He departed while half the people were asleep, and ere the day 
had fairly dawned and the fact of his departure was known, he 
was many miles on his journey. To this brave old soldier, the 
most oppressive thing will ever be, to receive the adieus of his 
friends and their congratulations upon his success. 

“The twelve months’ volunteers” now began to pass up the 
river ; Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Maryland, each 
had its representations. 

Capt. Duncan, on the 14th, with a small command, was ordered 
forward as far as Seralvo, sixty miles above Mier, for the purpose 
of making a reconnoissance. He moved with great rapidity ; and 
on his second night out, after a forced march of great length, he 
came in the vicinity of Punta Aguada, a little town containing 
four hundred inhabitants, and situated half-way between Mier and 
Seralvo. Capt. Duncan had been informed that this place was a 
rendezvous for Canales, and that at the very time one of his officers 
was in the place with a detachment of recruits. Capt. Duncan 
disposed of his force in such a manner that it surrounded the 
place and met in the centre of the town without alarming the in- 


GEN. TAYLOR’S PROCLAMATION. 


27 


habitants. Here it was discovered by the lights and music, that 
a fandango was absorbing the faculties of the citizens. In the 
midst ot its excitement, Capt. Duncan and his rangers presented 
themselves at the different entrances to the room, ordering all to 
stand. Never, in the history of dancing, was the “ fantastic toe” 
so suddenly shorn of its activity, if we except the great ball at 
Brussels, that was interrupted by the firing of cannon that an¬ 
nounced that Napoleon had reached the field of Waterloo. 

No prisoners of importance were found. Capt. Duncan, with 
the true spirit of a soldier, ordered the music to proceed, and lead¬ 
ing off the dance that he had so strangely interrupted, with a part¬ 
ner who displayed his exquisite taste in dark eyes and pretty feet, 
the thoughtless people resumed their amusements, while Capt. 
Duncan, ere the morning had fairly dawned, was in quiet posses¬ 
sion of Seralvo. 

On the 17th of July, Gen. Taylor, according to instructions from 
the war department at Washington,* issued the following procla¬ 
mation to the people of Mexico: 

A Proclamation by the General commanding the Army of the 
United States of America to the people of Mexico. 

After many years of patient endurance, the United States are at 
length constrained to acknowledge that a war now exists between 
our Government and the Government of Mexico. For many years 
our citizens have been subjected to repeated insults and injuries, 


* From House Document, No. 19, 2d session, 29th Congress. 

Letter of the Secretary of War to Gen. Taylor. 

War Department, June 4, 1846. 

Sir :— I send herewith a number of copies of a proclamation in the Spanish 
language, addressed to the people of Mexico, which you are requested to sign, 
and cause to be circulated in the manner and to the extent you may deem pro¬ 
per. You will use your utmost endeavors to have the pledges and promises 
therein contained carried out to the fullest extent. There are also sent some 
copies of the proclamation in the English language. Very respectfully, you - * 
obedient servant, W. L. MARCY, 

Secretary of War. 

Brevet Maj. Gen. Z. Taylor, 

Commanding Army of Occupation , Texas. 




28 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


our vessels and cargoes have been seized and confiscated, our mer¬ 
chants have been plundered, maimed,^imprisoned, without cause 
and without reparation. At length your Government acknow 
ledged the justice of our claims, and agreed by treaty to make 
satisfaction, by payment of several millions of dollars ; hut thife 
treaty has been violated by your rulers, and the stipulated pay¬ 
ments have been withheld. Our late effort to terminate all diffi¬ 
culties by peaceful negotiation has been rejected by the Dictator 
Paredes, and our Minister of Peace, whom your rulers had agreed 
to receive, has been refused a hearing. He has been treated with 
indignity and insult, and Paredes has announced that war exists 
between us. This war, thus first proclaimed by him, has been 
acknowledged as an existing fact by our President and Congress, 
with perfect unanimity, and will be prosecuted with vigor and 
energy, against your army and rulers; but those of the Mexican 
people who remain neutral will not be molested. 

Your Government is in the hands of tyrants and usurpers. 
They have abolished your State Governments, they have over¬ 
thrown your Federal Constitution, they have deprived you of the 
right of suffrage, destroyed the liberty of the press, despoiled you 
of arms and reduced you to a state of absolute dependence upon 
the power of a military dictator. Your army and rulers extort 
from the people by grievous taxation, by forced loans and military 
seizures, the very money which sustains the usurpers in power. 
Being disarmed, you were left defenceless, an easy prey to the 
savage Camanches, who not only destroy your lives and property, 
but drive into a captivity more horrible than death itself your wives 
and children. It is your military rulers who have reduced you to 
this deplorable condition. It is these tyrants, and their corrupt 
and cruel satellites, gorged with the people’s treasure, by whom 
you are thus impressed and impoverished ; some of whom have 
boldly advocated a monarchical Government, and would place a 
European prince upon the throne of Mexico. We come to obtain 
indemnity for the past, and security for the future ; we come to 
overthrow the tyrants who have destroyed your liberties;—but 
we come to make no war upon the people of Mexico, nor upon 



GEN. TAILOR’S PROCLAMATION. 


29 


any form of free government they may choose to select for them¬ 
selves. It is our wish to see you liberated from despots, to drive 
back the savage Camanches, to prevent the renewal of their 
assaults, and to compel them to restore to you from captivity your 
lost wives and children. Your religion, your altars and churches, 
the property of your churches and citizens, the emblems of your 
faith and its ministers, shall be protected, and remain inviolate. 
Hundreds of our army, and hundreds of thousands of our people, 
are members of the Catholic Church. In every State, and in 
nearly every city and village of our Union, Catholic churches exist, 
and the priests perform their holy functions in peace and security, 
under the sacred guarantee of our Constitution. We come among 
the people of Mexico as friends and republican brethren, and all 
who receive us as such shall be protected, whilst ail who are 
seduced into the army of your dictator, shall be treated as enemies. 
We shall want from you nothing but food for our army, and for 
this you shall always be paid in cash the full value. It is the set¬ 
tled policy of your tyrants to deceive you in regard to the policy 
and character of our government and people. These tyrants fear 
the example of our free institutions, and constantly endeavor to 
misrepresent our purposes, and inspire you with hatred for your 
republican brethren of the American Union. Give us but the op¬ 
portunity to undeceive you, and you will soon learn that all the 
representations of Paredes were false, and were only made to 
induce you to consent to the establishment of a despotic govern¬ 
ment. 

In your struggle for liberty with the Spanish monarchy, thou¬ 
sands of our countrymen risked their lives and shed their blood in 
your defence. Our own Commodore, the gallant Porter, main¬ 
tained in triumph your flag upon the ocean, and our Government 
was the first to acknowledge your independence. With pride and 
pleasure we enrolled your name on the list of independent repub¬ 
lics, and sincerely desired that you might in peace and prosperity 
enjoy all the blessings of a free government. Success on the part 
of your tyrants against the army of the Union is impossible, but 
if they could succeed it would only be to enable them to fill your 
c 2 





30 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


towns with their soldiers, eating out your substance, and harass¬ 
ing you with still more grievous taxation. Already have they 
abolished the liberty of the press, as the first step towards that 
monarchy, which it is their real purpose to proclaim and esta¬ 
blish. 

Mexicans we must treat as enemies and overthrow the tyrants, 
who, whilst they have wronged and insulted us, have deprived 
you of your liberty, but the Mexican people who remain neutral 
during the contest shall be protected against their military despots, 
by the Republican Army of the Union. Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. S. A., commanding. 

On the 18th, the regular army at Camargo, consisting of seven 
regiments of infantry, and two batteries of artillery, was drawn up 
for a grand review. The line occupied two-thirds of a mile, and 
presented a most imposing appearance. No military display 
under our flag had been made since the last war that was in any 
way comparable to it. The troops under review were commanded 
by Gen. Worth. There were also present Generals Quitman and 
Pillow. 

General Taylor’s movement from the right was announced by 
Bragg’s battery; as he advanced, the customary salute followed 
from each regiment. It was noticed at the time, that Gen. Taylor 
appeared in remarkable health and spirits. 

On the morning of this day Capt. Duncan returned from his 
expedition. He reported favorably of the route, stated that the 
country was w r ell watered, and increased in interest and fertility 
as he advanced. Orders, also, on this day, were issued rela¬ 
tive to the organization of the regular army. The First Divi¬ 
sion, commanded by Gen. Twiggs, consisted of the Second Dra¬ 
goons, First, Second, Third, and Fourth regiments of Infantry, 
and Bragg’s and Ridgely’s artillery. The Second Division, com¬ 
manded by Gen. Worth, of the artillery battalion serving as in¬ 
fantry, the Fifth, Seventh, and Eighth Infantry, Duncan’s bat- 
tery, and Capt. Blanchard’s Louisiana volunteers. This last- 
named company attracted much attention; it was all that was 




DISPOSITION OF THE TROOPS. 


31 


loft of the noble brigade that so promptly responded to Gen. Tay¬ 
lor’s call for troops previous to the battles of the “ 8th and 9th.” 
Gen. Worth’s division was ordered to start on the morrow for 
Seralvo, which was decided upon as a depot for stores, to which 
point the Volunteer division was to be advanced as fast as possible, 
so as to join the main army before reaching Monterey. 



32 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER IV. 

News from Monterey—Advance of our troops—Appearance of the country— 

Volunteer regiments—'Gen. Taylor leaves Camargo—Seralvo—Its appear¬ 
ance—Its cathedral—Gen. Taylor’s orders—Mexican proclamations. 

The news from Monterey was of an uncertain and contradictory 
character. The imprisonment of Paredes was mentioned, in con¬ 
nection with heavy reinforcements of troops that were said to be 
concentrating in that city. The evidently unsettled state of the 
Mexican government gave rise to a belief that there would be no 
opposition made at Monterey. 

The steady advance of our troops now became a matter of course. 
Means of transportation, principally pack-mules, had been obtained, 
and supplies moved forward with regularity. The volunteer divi¬ 
sion steadily concentrated at Camargo, and proceeded on with order, 
and Gen. Taylor began to make preparations to move his head¬ 
quarters to Seralvo. 

The country from Mier to Monterey constantly increased in in¬ 
terest. Successive ranges of mountains presented themselves, that 
had a cool, refreshing look, and gave earnest that the long, weary 
marches in the hot sun would finally cease, under the pleasant 
atmosphere of a temperate climate. 

The Volunteer regiments—the First Mississippi, under Col. 
Jefferson Davis, the First Tennessee, under Col. Campbell, the 
First Ohio, under Col. A. M. Mitchell, the Baltimore Batta¬ 
lion, under Lieut. Col. W. H. Watson—were much reduced in 
numbers by sickness and other unavoidable causes. Gen. Tay¬ 
lor made it a principle of action to take with him only the able- 
bodied who could, without doubt, stand the fatigues of the long 
march ; he, therefore, quickly discharged those who seemed to be 
discontented; and tile sick, the moment that they were able to leave 
the hospital, were furnished the means of returning home. It 




SERALVO. 


33 


was a remarkable fact, that those of our volunteer troops who 
were from a northern climate, were, when once prostrated by- 
sickness on the Rio Grande, if they recovered from the first 
attack, obliged to seek a change of atmosphere, or they invariably 
relapsed and died. 

On the 6th of August, Gen. Taylor crossed the San Juan, at 
Camargo, and on the morning following started for Seralvo. 
Major Gen. Patterson w r as left in command at Camargo, his juris¬ 
diction extending to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Orders were 
issued, prohibiting strangers from entering the river, which, joined 
with the previous prohibition as to the sale of ardent spirits, made 
the police of the country effective, and secured the greatest good 
order and quiet in the valley of the Rio Grande. 

News had now reached our army of the arrival of Gen. Am- 
pudia at Monterey, with an immense force; and that the city 
was perfectly fortified. For the first time, it was understood 
that the Mexicans would make stout resistance under the walls of 
that city. 

Seralvo is a pleasant town about half-way between Camargo 
and Monterey. The town attracted attention because it was en¬ 
tirely of the Moorish Spanish style of building; the bare fronts of 
the houses had a most desolate appearance, and made the place 
look entirely deserted, yet there were many evidences of an indus¬ 
trious population. 

Splendid gardens, filled with fruit trees of all varieties peculiar 
to the temperate and torrid zone, were growing side by side in the 
greatest luxuriance. Towering corn and choice vegetables filled 
up the landscape. These evidences of industry, the gardens, were 
irrigated by a fine mountain stream, which was made to flow 
through the very centre of the town; its limpid waters often 
broken into cascades and little falls, and at all times murmuring 
along in soft whispers of sw r eet music. A large church, of sin¬ 
gularly oriental appearance, towered over the landscape, its white 
walls, in the quiet moonlight, unconsciously reminding the specta¬ 
tor of the times of the Crusades, or the stirring events of the 
Alhambra, when the Spaniards drove the Moors from their ely- 

3 



34 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


sium homes, and reared the cross where before the crescent waved 
in sullen dignity. 

The curious soldiers stole into the building through the half- 
opened door, and found it unlike the exterior. Within it was light 
and graceful, save the earthen floor, which was damp like that of 
a vault; the paintings on the walls were falling piecemeal from 
their frames, or obscured by the mould that had settled over their 
questionable beauties. A large wooden crucifix seemed to be 
decaying away, uncared for: all told volumes of a people who 
had lost the enthusiasm that had originally prompted the erection 
of the building ; in fact, it was a visible, startling representation 
of Mexico. 

The climate at Seralvo must be singularly fine ; every thing 
gave evidence of such a blessing; it was, at the time our army 
first occupied it, the month of August, like the balmiest weather 
of spring in Louisiana; the atmosphere seemed delightful to 
breathe, such as makes existence consciously pleasant. In the 
hands of an enterprising people, Seralvo would be an earthly 
paradise; the valleys would raise all the necessaries and luxuries 
of life, the mountain sides would provide food for innumerable 
herds, and the wild grapes that ripen upon the precipices of the 
hill sides, would yield an abundance of wine; at present, all these 
advantages are comparatively unappreciated and unenjoyed. 

On the 9th of September, Gen. Taylor entered Seralvo. The 
scene presented "was singularly imposing ; the First and Second Di¬ 
visions with their respective commanders, Generals Twiggs and 
Worth, were now together. The long train wound over the hills 
and descended into the valleys, portions of it disappearing at an 
instant, and then unexpectedly appearing boldly marked against 
the clear blue sky. There was apparently a strange mixture of 
infantry and artillery, baggage-wagons and cavalry, yet as they 
entered Seralvo and vicinity, there was observable the strictest 
military precision in all the arrangements ; every part fell into 
assigned places with a precision that displayed the very perfection 
of military discipline. 

On the evening of the 9th, a Mexican express arrived at Seralvo, 



MEXICAN PROCLAMATIONS. 


35 


"bearing despatches addressed to the inhabitants of the country, hy 
Gen. Ampudia. They are so characteristic of Mexican proclama¬ 
tions, that they deserve a notice, and they are also a part of the 
history of the surrender of Monterey. 

NUMBER ONE. 

The General-in-chief of the corps de armee of the North , to the 
valiant soldiers of the first division which is found in front of 
the enemy. 

Soldados—This long paragraph exhausts the Spanish in lauda¬ 
tion of their “military virtues,” “elevated patriotism,” and “im¬ 
portant services they had rendered their country.” 

Soldados—Great and immense are the national interests which 
have been intrusted to your valor and constancy under fatigue. 
The republic and foreign nations are awaiting the effect of the 
arms which the people have placed in our hands for their defence. 
Bear in mind that it is ten thousand times more reputable to die 
for our honor and sacred independence, than to drag out a dis¬ 
honored existence. 

Soldados—Be patient under your sufferings ; reinforced as you 
will be hy the brigades which are on the march, you are certain 
that the hymn of victory will be sounded ; you will avenge the 
blood of your brothers shed on the 8th and 9th of May, and take 
satisfaction for those inconceivable disasters. 

From your general and sincere friend. 

(Signed,) PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

Head-quarters in the city of Saltillo, August 27, 1846. 

NUMBER TWO. 

The General-in-chief of the corps de armee of the North to the 
inhabitants of the departments of Coahuila , Nuevo Leon , and 
Tamaulipas. 

Fellow-citizens (conciudadanos): For the second time I enter this 
interesting part of the Mexican territory, to lead the soldiers who 
are anxious to fight, in order to humble the pride of the foreign 


36 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


invader, and to liberate from the minions of slavery, to which we 
shall be reduced, if he shall consummate his depraved intentions. 

We have visible examples of this assertion in the disgraceful 
condition of the inhabitants of Bejar, La Bahia, and recently the 
district of the North of Tamaulipas. We apprehend the great 
principle is incontestable, that the people which seeks to be free, 
is so. 

Recollect, countrymen, that the Spanish nation, with the warlike 
and formidable armies of Napoleon in her capital and strong 
places, maintained a vigorous and triumphant resistance to the 
end of the glorious struggle ; and we ought not the less to remem¬ 
ber, that the heroes of our own emancipation from the mother 
country, without science in war, struggled for the space of eleven 
years to break the chains that bound us to the will of a monarch 
distant two thousand leagues. 

My friends : our brethren from neighboring departments hasten 
to the war; they send thousands of brave volunteers to your aid; 
and lastly, it is very probable that the leader of our independence (!) 
and founder of the republic, (!) General of Division and benefactor 
of the country, D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, will come to the 
theatre of the war, at the head of a large reinforcement of troops, 
to conduct the campaign. In the mean time, courage, country¬ 
men ; and oppose the enemy by your utmost efforts. 

(Signed,) * PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

Head-quarters in the city of Saltillo, August 27, 1846. 

NUMBER THREE. 

Pedro de Ampudia—General de Brigada y en gefe del Cuerpo 

de Ejercito del Norte , a fos Habituates de esfe Departamento , 

Ha jo Saber. 

The army of the United States having invaded the Mexican 
territory, and penetrated with the greatest insolence into the heart 
of this department, threatens to occupy its capital; and without 
calculating the end of his invasion, I am compelled to provide for 
the emergency, and augment successively our defences, placing in 
action all the elements we can command. The importance of this 


37 


MEXICAN PROCLAMATIONS. 

place, and my responsibility, are apparent. The enemy has dared 
to present himself at our doors, and with his advance has insulted 
and provoked us without motive or any reason to justify his igno¬ 
ble and treacherous proceedings. I must, then, avoid and prevent 
the evil which approaches, for it is thus that honor and duty advise. 
Let us go to repel force with force, as the instinct of self-preserva¬ 
tion dictates. But I ought first to adopt all the means capable of 
giving order to my operations ; and for this object using the ample 
authority which the supreme government has conceded to me, and 
with which, in my character as general-in-chief, it has invested me 
for such cases, I publish the following declaration:— 

Art. 1 . It is declared that this place is in a state of siege. 

2. The civil authorities and public functions, during the siege, 
are subordinate to the military in every thing relating to the de¬ 
fence and service of the place. 

3. All citizens shall assist with their arms in the national de¬ 
fence, in the manner, time, and form which the authorities may 
determine ; and to this end the citizens shall yield to the advice 
and orders of their respective military commanders. 

4. Every crime of unfaithfulness, sedition, mutiny, or any other 
which may place in jeopardy the security, tranquillity, or defence 
of the place, shall be tried by the military courts. 

And that these articles may come to the notice of all the inhabit¬ 
ants, they are published as an edict from this day. 

(Signed,) PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

Head-quarters in Monterey, August 31, 1846. 

NUMBER FOUR. 

El General en gefe del Cuerpo de Ejereito del Norte que suscribe. 

Considering that the hour has arrived when energetic measures 
and precautionary dispositions should be taken to liberate the de¬ 
partments of the East from the rapacity of the Anglo-Americans, 
and for attending to the rights of the people and the usages of 
war, every person who may prove a traitor to his country, or a 
spy of the enemy, shall suffer death without any remission of sen¬ 
tence ; and taking into consideration that it is my bounden duty to 
D 


38 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


put an end to the evils which have been caused by the contraband 
trade that has been indiscriminately carried on by the usurpers of 
our sacred territory ; and using the faculties which the laws have 
empowered me with, I decree as follows- 

1. Every native or foreigner who shall, either directly or in¬ 
directly, voluntarily aid or assist the enemy in any manner whatso¬ 
ever, shall suffer death by being shot. 

2. All those who, after the publication of this proclamation, shall 
continue to traffic in contraband articles with the enemy, shall 
suffer the same penalty named in the preceding article. 

3. The authorities of every branch of the public service will 
take especial care, under the strictest responsibility, that this 
article shall be rigorously complied with. 

4. This proclamation should produce popular action amongst 
our citizens, who are under the obligation to make known any in¬ 
fraction of it, and all citizens are empowered to apprehend crimi¬ 
nals and deliver them over to the judicial authorities ; and that all 
persons may be duly notified, and that none may plead ignorance, I 
order the publication of this proclamation, and that due circulation 
shall be given it. 

(Signed,) PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

Given at Head-quarters in Monterey, August 31, 1846. 

NUMBER FIVE. 

El General en gefedel Cuerpo de Ejercito del Norte que suscribe. 

In consideration of having declared yesterday that this place is 
in a state of siege, and that for this reason I ought to provide all 
kinds of necessary provisions, in obedience to the authority in me 
vested as general-in-chief, and of the powers which have been in¬ 
trusted to me by the supreme government, I now decree as 
follows :— 

1. All citizens may introduce into this place, free from duties 
and every municipal tax they have been accustomed to pay, corn, 
beans, onions, butter, cheese, charcoal, forage, and generally all 
kinds of national products which may be necessary. 

2. The respective authorities of the cities., the people and the 




MARCH TO MONTEREY. 


39 


towns, will endeavor to arouse the patriotism of the citizens, to the 
end that the provisions of the preceding article may he observed, 
and will attend most particularly to whatever will redound to the 
good of the country and its dearest interests. 

3. Every individual, without any exception, who leaves this 
place, must have a passport or permission from the major-general 
of this division of the army, D. Jose Garcia Conde, without which 
requisite he may be detained and placed at the disposition of the 
authorities legally constituted. 

(Signed,) PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

Given at Head-quarters in Monterey, Sept. 1, 1846. 

At Seralvo, the march to Monterey was arranged in every par¬ 
ticular. Major Gen. Butler arrived, and the volunteer division 
concentrated in the vicinity. On the 11th instant, the following 
important order was issued : 

The order of march of the American Army. 

HEAD-aUARTERS, ArMT OF OCCUPATION - , 

Seralvo, Sept. 11 , 1846 . 

1. As the army may expect to meet resistance in the farther ad¬ 
vance towards Monterey, it is necessary that its march should be 
conducted with all proper precaution to meet attack and secure the 
baggage and supplies. 

From this point the following will be the order of march until 
otherwise directed: 

2. All the pioneers of the army, consolidated into one party, 
will march early to-morrow on the route to Merine, for the purpose 
of repairing the roads*und rendering it practicable for artillery and 
wagons. The pioneers of each division will be under a subaltern, 
to be especially detailed for the duty, and the whole be under 
command of Capt. Craig, Third Infantry, who will report to head¬ 
quarters for instructions. This pioneer party will be covered by a 
squadron of dragoons and Capt. McCulloch’s company of Rangers. 
Two officers of Topographical Engineers, to be detailed by Capt. 
Williams, will accompany the party for the purpose of examining 
the route. Two wagons will be provided by the quarter-master’s 






40 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


department for the transportation of the tools, provisions, and knap¬ 
sacks, of the pioneer party. 

3. The First Division will march on the 13th inst., to he fol¬ 
lowed on successive days by the Second Division and field division 
of volunteers. The head-quarters will march with the First Di¬ 
vision. Capt. Gillespie, with half of his company, will report to 
Major Gen. Butler; the other half, under the first lieutenant, to 
Brig. Gen. Worth. These detachments will he employed for out¬ 
posts and videttes, and as expresses between the column and head¬ 
quarters. 

4. The subsistence supplies will be divided between the three 
columns, the senior commissary of each division receipting for the 
stores and being charged with their care and management. The 
senior commissaries of divisions will report to Capt. Waggaman 
for this duty. 

5. Each division will be followed immediately by its baggage 
train and supply train, with a strong rear-guard. The ordnance 
train under Capt. Ramsay will march with the Second Division, 
between its baggage and supply train, and will come under the 
protection of the guard of that division. The medical supplies 
will, in like manner, march with the First Division. 

6. The troops will take eight days’ rations and forty rounds of 
ammunition. All surplus arms and accoutrements, resulting from 
casualties on the road, will be deposited with Lieut. Stewart, left 
in charge of the depot at this place, who will give certificates of 
deposit to the company commanders. 

7. The wagons appropriated for transportation of water will 
not be required, and will be turned over to the quarter-master’s 
department for general purposes. 

8. Two companies of the Mississippi regiment will be desig¬ 
nated for the garrison of this place. All sick and disabled men, 
unfit for the march, will be left behind, under charge of a medical 
officer to be selected for this duty by the medical director. 

By order of Major Gen. Taylor. 

W. W. S. BLISS, 

Jlss' , t. Adjt. General. 






PROCLAMATION BY AMPUDIA. 


41 


On the 13th, the First Division took up its line of march accord¬ 
ing to order. The first day’s march, after leaving Seraivo, was 
over a rocky road, muddy and intersected by little streams from the 
mountains, through which the troops had to wade, making the 
march a heavier one than had at any time previously occurred. The 
march of the following day was over a similarly bad road; the 
ranchos were found to be deserted, at least so they appeared. Gen. 
Torrejon, with a large cavalry force, was known to be constantly 
ahead; in fact our advance guard often drove the rear-guard of the 
enemy. The expectations and feelings of the Mexicans were dis¬ 
played in the following proclamation, issued on the second day’s 
march of our troops from Seralvo. 

The General in Chief of the Army of the North to his Com¬ 
panions in Arms. 

Soldiers :—The enemy, numbering only two thousand five 
hundred regular troops, the remainder being only a band of ad¬ 
venturers without valor or discipline, are, according to reliable in¬ 
formation, about advancing upon Seralvo to commit the barbarity 
of attacking this most important place. We count near three 
thousand regulars and auxiliary cavalry, and these will defeat them 
again and again, before they can reach this city. Soldiers, we are 
constructing fortifications, to make our base of operations secure, 
and hence we will sally forth at a convenient time and drive back 
this enemy at the point of the bayonet. 

Soldiers ! three great virtues make the soldier worthy of his 
profession ; discipline, constancy under fatigue, and valor. He 
who at this moment would desert his colors, is a coward and a 
traitor to his country. Our whole nation, and even foreign coun¬ 
tries, are the witnesses of our conduct. The question now is, 

whether our independence shall be preserved or for ever lost; and 

% 

its solution is in your hands. 

I have assured the supreme government of the triumph of our 
arms, confiding in your loyalty and enthusiasm, and will prove to 
the whole world, that we are worthy sons of the immortal Hidalgo, 
Morelo, Allende, Iturbide, and so many other heroes who knew 
d 2 




42 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


how to die combatting for the independence of our cherished 
country. 

Soldiers ! victory or death must be our only device. 

PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

Head-quarters, Monterey, Sept. 14, 1846. 

As at Matamoros, Gen. Ampudia seemed to think that there 
were many persons in our army who would willingly desert, and 
he caused to he distributed along the road a very warm appeal to 
those “ who desired to abandon our flagfearing lest his first 
effort might faiJ of the desired effect, he followed the address to 
his companions in arms with the following: 

Army or the North, ) 

General-in-Chief. $ 

IIead-<uiarteiis, Monterey, Sept. 15 , 1846 . 

It is well known that the war carried on to the Republic of 
Mexico by the government of the United States of America, is un¬ 
just, illegal, and anti-Christian, for which reason no one ought to 
contribute to it. 

The federal government having been happily re-established, a 
large number of battalion of the National Guards in the states of 
Coahuila, St. Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Zacetecas, Queretaro, and 
others, are ready to be on the field and fight for our independence. 

Acting according with the dictates of honor, and in compliance 
with what my country requires from me, in the name of my go¬ 
vernment I offer to all individuals that will lay down their arms and 
separate themselves from the American army, seeking protection, 
that they will be well received and treated in all the plantations, 
farms or towns, where they will first arrive, and assisted for their 
march to the interior of the republic by all the authorities on the 
road, as has been done with all those that have passed over to us. 

To all those that wish to serve in the Mexican army, their offices 
will be conserved and guarantied. 


PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 


SCENERY OF MERINE. 


43 


CHAPTER V. 


Merine—Scenery—Letter from the Spanish Consul—Movement of the Army- 
Alarm of the Mule-drivers—Arrival of Gen. Henderson—Monterey in the dis¬ 
tance—Order of battle—Grove of St. Domingo. 


On the 15th, the First Division reached the vicinity of Merine, 
where it encamped to wait the concentration of the army, and also 
to collect forage for the horses and mules. The delay was accept¬ 
able to all. The general character of the road from Seralvo was 
exceedingly heavy, it being covered in many places with loose stones, 
and broken up by ridges and ravines. The same mountain, ap¬ 
parently so near at Seralvo, had now changed its position, and ap¬ 
peared on the opposite side of the landscape, yet easily distin¬ 
guishable by its peculiar crest. 

The scenery in and about Merine was more beautiful than any 
previously seen. The small town seemed to be absorbed in 
the residence of a few men of easy circumstances, and a great num¬ 
ber who appeared to be dependants upon their bounty. A costly 
church overlooked the whole. 

From the cathedral height of Merine, the broad valley, info 
which our troops had been so long descending, opened for twenty 
or thirty miles its rich soil, enclosed, as it were, in a circle of 
sterile mountains. The city cf Monterey could just be distinguished 
in the distance, its outlines in the blue haze dreamily indistinct; 


beyond still, in silent grandeur, broke in huge masses the Sierra 
Madre, their tops piercing the clouds, and by comparison dwin¬ 
dling into pigmies the heretofore stupendous masses of upheaved 
earth on which our troops had been so long gazing with wonder 
and awe. 

The scenery about Merine, by its sublimity and softness, set many 
a soldier’s heart wandering ; the imagination would fill the airy out¬ 
lines of the distance with ten thousand pictures of hope or ambi¬ 
tion ; in some cleft, was clustered the chastened group of the home 



44 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


fireside, out of which looked mild eyes of love ; or the circling 
gold-tinged clouds, that constantly climbed their way upwards, 
were as wings to the ambitious imaginations that dreamed of 
honors won at the cannon’s mouth. 

Nothing could exceed the sweet repose, by nature, of the valley 
of Me'rine. It was a place in which to build a cloister, where the 
broken hearted might wear away a chastened existence, previous 
to a glorious home in another world. But the shrill fife and wind¬ 
ing bugle horn now roused the spirit; the heavy tramp of the 
march, and the lumbering wheels of artillery, disturbed the quiet 
of this sequestered spot, as remorselessly as if upon the more con¬ 
genial wastes towards the mouth of the Rio Grande. 

Towards the evening of the 17th, a letter was received from the 
Spanish consul, residing at Monterey, inquiring if the property of 
foreigners would be respected. Gen. Taylor replied, that he 
would be responsible for nothing, if the town was taken by assault, 

Early on the morning of the 18th, the First Division, respectively 
followed by the other two, took up its line of march. The road 
was now open, and no longer required the pioneers. Capt. Craig 
was therefore relieved from his command. The San Juan, which 
had now become a rapid stream, three or four feet deep, was 
forded. A-t noon, the advance came to the little village of Aqua 
Frio, or more properly a haciendi of that name, for it was nothing 
else than a residence of a rich old grandee, who, living himself in 
wealth, kept the surrounding population, his labourers, in the most 
miserable poverty. It was stated that the proprietor of Aqua Frio 
contributed seventy thousand silver dollars towards the defences of 
Monterey. 

After the march of a few miles further along a road bounded by 
rich fields of maze and sugar cane in high cultivation, the thriving 
town of San Francisco presented itself. Here were singular evi¬ 
dences of thrift for Mexico. Several fine residences and a com¬ 
modious church were in process of erection, and the general ap¬ 
pearance of the town betokened wealth. 

At San Francisco was received the first positive information that 
resistance would be made to our progress at Monterey. The old 




CITY OF MONTEREY. 


45 


padre of the village informed Gen. Taylor, that the most deter¬ 
mined opposition would be made, that Gen. Ainpudia had deter¬ 
mined never to surrender the city except with his life. 

Much alarm was created among the Mexican mule drivers in 
our employ, by the report that Gen. Canales was in our rear, but 
the horsemen that gave foundation to the report, proved to be Gen. 
Henderson’s brigade of Wood’s and Hay’s regiments of mounted 
Texians, which had travelled by the way of the China road, and 
which fine body, at this opportune moment, added eleven hundred 
to Gen. Taylor’s force. 

♦ 

The morning of the 19th was memorable for its excitement. 
Hundreds of our soldiers were volunteers, who had begun the long 
march from Matamoros to Monterey, with the greatest impatience. 
The time to be consumed in its accomplishment seemed never 
ending. Day after day, however, passed away, and the sun at 
last rose, with Monterey before them. Ten thousand mixed feel¬ 
ings sent the blood back to the heart, and ten thousand strange 
hopes flitted through the mind. A city to be stormed, and glory 
to be won! How fruitful of events were to be the next few days, 
perhaps the next few hours ! 

The army advanced in order of battle. On either side were to be 
seen a constant succession of deserted houses ; ahead and on either 
side rose high mountains, over the tops of which there rolled and 
fretted the morning clouds, while the mists of the early day strug¬ 
gled upwards, opening before the advancing columns, first the 
suburbs, and then the city itself. 

Gen. Taylor and staff, with a number of officers, were ahead ; 
then followed the advanced guard, McCulloch’s and Gillespie’s 
rangers. Immediately after them was Gen. Henderson’s brigade, 
while Gen. Twiggs with the first division of the army, and Gen. 
Worth with the second, followed; the volunteer division under 
Gen. Butler bringing up the rear. 

The beautiful grove of St. Domingo was passed, when the city 
burst upon the sight in all its splendour. The mists still clung 
around the turrets of its churches, and enveloped its commanding 
heights ; but the ascending sun constantly dissipated the vail, until 


46 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


palace and hill, barricade and fort, with long lines of tents and 
pendent flags presented themselves, as if floating in the pure ether 
with which they were surrounded. All w r as silent; not a breath 
of air stirred ; dewy softness rested upon every thing. Suddenly 
a hot sulphurous smoke rose quickly from one of the bastions of 
the citadel, a heavy cannon-shot cleared the air with its hissing 
sound, and long before its booming sound was heard, two more in 
quick succession followed ; one of the deadly missiles ricochetted 
directly over Gen. Taylor’s head, and, just beyond him, plowed 
deeply in the earth. 

A cry of exultation followed from those who witnessed it, which 
was taken up by the long lines of advancing troops, until it was carried 
miles in the rear, the shouts mingling strangely with the ten thou¬ 
sand echoes that were aw r akened among the mountains, by the 
firing of the heavy artillery that announced that the battle of Mon¬ 
terey had begun. . 

The first division accelerated its speed, and quickly arrived 
where Gen. Taylor had halted, when it formed into order of battle; 
while this was being done, the gallant old chieftain, surrounded by 
his staff, coolly, through his glass, examined the defences of the 
city, when orders were issued for the army to encamp at the beau¬ 
tiful grove of St. Domingo, so recently passed. 

This grove, to the fatigued soldier, when contrasted with the 
untimbered country of Mexico, seemed a perfect paradise, and it 
is no doubt the finest collection of trees in northern Mexico. It is 
several miles in length, and nearly three-fourths in width, and on 
all sides it slopes gradually to its centre, and is evidently the basin 
of a once beautiful lake ; some of the sources of this once mirrored 
sheet displayed themselves in splendid fountains of the purest 
water, that gushed from the cleft rocks, then sweeping over gra¬ 
velly beds finally united in one rapid stream, broken into silvery 
cascades, that enlivened the deep shadows, thrown by magnificent 
live-oaks, pecans, and the more tropical trees that formed the 
grove. 

There w r ere evidences that great care w r as taken of this sylvan 
retreat. Among the sturdy trunks, as well as those of more delicate 


GROVE OF ST. DOMINGO. 


47 


growth, were to be seen guards erected for their protection. 
Cleared spots spoke eloquently of the festive scene ; the very thrones 
of the mandolin and guitar were recognisable. Youth and beauty, 
middle life and old age, found here, in the umbrageous shade, a 
solace from the cares of a crowded city. Love and reflection were 
alike encouraged. But now, the soft and tender scenes of social 
life had vanished ; the heavy wheels of artillery ground and dis¬ 
figured the earth; where had threaded the cotillon now stood the 
rough soldiers ; and against the trees where had hung so often the 
rebosa too heavy for the dance, now leaned the polished musket. 
Sharp bugle notes pierced the air in place of the merry laugh of 
children. The cherished grove of St. Domingo was bristling with 
the implements of war. 


48 


OUlt ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER VI. 

The morning of the 21st—An express from Gen. Worth—The reconnoissance 
—Formation of the line of battle—Gen. Taylor’s orders—Col. Garland’s 
advance—Lieut. Dilworth—Battle commences—Volunteer divisions ordered 
forward—Tennessee regiment—Col. Garland’s command—Major Lear—Col. 
Watson—Major Barbour—Lieut. Terrett—Capt. Williams—Capt. Bragg’s 
battery—Capt. Bacchus—Gen. Quitman’s division—Lieut. Hoskins—Lieut. 
Woods—Charge of the Mississippi and Tennessee regiments. 

The morning of the 21st dawned upon the First and Volun¬ 
teer Divisions ; they formed full of excitement. It was felt that 
the time Tfiad arrived when ditches were to he crossed, batteries 
stormed, and honor won at the cannon’s mouth. The hearts of 
the Volunteers throbbed with emotion ; they felt as if the eyes of 
the civilized world were upon them: the Regulars pursued their 
duties as stoically as if in the ordinary routine of discipline. 

In the course of the night, Gen. Taylor had received an express 
from Gen. Worth, which informed him that he had arrived in po¬ 
sition in his march toward the Saltillo road, and that he should, 
in the morning, storm two designated heights commanding the 
Bishop’s Palace, as preliminary to his attack on that strong 
position. 

The ground which divided the city of Monterey from our main 
camp was, to a very great extent, a limestone flat, the gorges and 
uneven surfaces of which were filled with a rich loam ; this was 
divided into small fields, where grew the most luxuriant corn. 
Nothing could more impede the progress of our advancing army, 
than ground thus cut up ; yet over it both Volunteers and Regulars 
clambered with alacrity, as soon as orders were given for the march 
upon the city. But little was known of the batteries to be assailed; 
that they were strong, was well understood ; the appearance of the 
country suggested such a belief, and the slight observations that 
had been made confirmed it. 


THE RECONNOISSANCE. 


4!) 


All the day, and a part of the night, previous to the 21st, the 
engineering corps, under the immediate command of the inde¬ 
fatigable Major Mansfield, had been engaged in such reconnois- 
sances as were possible. Lieut. Pope was fortunate in discovering 
a battery, and becoming well acquainted with its position. Capt. 
Williams exposed himself to the greatest peril, by his near ap¬ 
proaches to the enemy’s lines, while all, engaged in the arduous 
duty, displayed the most noble courage. The engineers often 
passed within five hundred yards of the defences on the western 
side of the town, and pursued their examinations frequently under 
heavy discharges of grape. 

Such were the circumstances under which the infantry and 
artillery of the First Division, and the field Division of Volunteers, 
were ordered under arms, and took up their march toward the city, 
leaving one company of each regiment as a camp-guard. The 
Second Dragoons, under Lieut. Col. May, and Col. Wood’s regi¬ 
ment of mounted Texan Volunteers, under the immediate command 
of Gen. Henderson, were directed to the right, to support Gen. 
Worth, and, if practicable, make an impression upon that part of 
the city. 

Nothing could exceed the inspiring circumstances attending the 
formation of the line of battle ; at early dawn had been heard the 
distant discharges of musketry, and the booming of cannon, that 
told most eloquently that the Second Division had begun its work, 
while, as the First and field Divisions extended their long lines 
over the plain, the mortar, under Capt. Ramsey, and the twenty- 
four pounder howitzer, under Capt. Webster, opened upon the 
citadel and town. The Mexicans, prompt in their replies, used 
their pieces with astonishing accuracy; amid this roar of cannon, 
orders were given for the advance. 

Lieut. Col. Garland was in the van; as soon as the bflgade 
reached the plain, he was directed to proceed with the Third 
Infantry to the left, while the Fourth Infantry remained in its po¬ 
sition to support the mortar battery. At the suggestion of Gen. 
Taylor, Gen. Twiggs ordered the First Infantry and the Baltimore 
battalion to sustain the Third. As Col. Garland was moving off 
E 4 


50 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


with his command, Gen. Taylor rode up to him, at the same time 
telling him to make his way to the left, and, if a good opportunity 
offered, take, with the bayonet, some one of the enemy’s forts in 
that direction; he added, moreover, that Major Mansfield would 
be found “down that way,” engaged in making observations, and 
that he would indicate to him the point of attack and the line of 
operations. 

The quarry-holes, the chapparel, the strong hedges, and the tall 
waving corn that clustered so abundantly in the suburbs of the 
town, made it impossible to see any thing ahead; but Col. Gar¬ 
land proceeded on, and finding Major Mansfield, reported to him 
that he had a force at hand to attack wherever he should direct. 
Captains Haslett and Field, each with companies of the Third, 
were first detached from the main body to protect Lieut. Pope, 
while making a reconnoissance of the Mexican cavalry, that con¬ 
tinually threatened the engineers. A brief consultation was then 
held between the commander of the troops and Major Mansfield, 
when the latter advised an immediate advance into the city. Col. 
Kinney, who was with the Major, suggested the hazard of the ex¬ 
periment, with the then limited knowledge of the enemy’s force, 
and of the strength of the defences of the place. Major Mans¬ 
field, as he cast his eye along the glittering arms of his fellow 
soldiers, said—that he thought the enemy would run the moment 
that our troops were seen. Accordingly, with Col. Kinney by his 
side, he moved toward the town. 

Col. Garland had conceived his orders to be, to attack wherever 
the chief engineer directed; and not being informed that his 
movements were only intended as a diversion in Gen. Worth’s 
favour, he pressed onward with his troops. As soon as he was 
out i^ the open plain, and within reach of the enemy’s guns, a 
triangular fire was opened upon him ; round, grape, and canister- 
shot burst at once from the dark citadel on the right, the fort on 
the extreme north-east, ahd from a battery in the town. For a 
considerable distance, Col. Garland’s command had to face this 
sweeping fire. 

Shot frequently passed between the staff officers and through 




COL. GARLAND’S COMMAND. 


51 


the solid columns of the men, killing and wounding many. 
Among the mortally wounded fell Lieut. Dilworth, of the First 
Infantry ; the ball that carried away his leg killed many of the 
men about him. Anxious to cross the bayonet with the foe, the 
column steadily advanced, regardless of the destructive fire. They 
finally reached the edge of the limestone ridge, and descended 
into a ravine defended on the opposite side by dead thorn hedges, 
enclosing corn-fields, which were intersected by narrow lanes. 
Across the ravine, over the thorn, and up the lanes, the men 
rushed; when suddenly they were checked by discovering, im¬ 
mediately before them, a breastwork and deep trench. This 
breastwork held such a commanding position, that if its batteries 
opened, the destruction of all who were approaching it seemed 
inevitable. Jhe soldiers, however, pressed forward, and passed 
the battery to the right, when, to the surprise and relief of all, it 
was found to have been abandoned. After the brigade, Bragg fol¬ 
lowed with his artillery. The suburbs of the city were now 
passed, and the narrow streets, peculiar to Mexican cities, began 
to present themselves. As soon as the troops were within striking 
distance, they opened with heavy discharges of small arms. 

While these events were transpiring, the Volunteer Division had 
taken position near the mortar battery. The instant that the re¬ 
port of small arms was heard, Gen. Taylor knew that Col. Garland 
had engaged with a heavy force of the enemy, and he issued im¬ 
mediate orders for his support. The Fourth Infantry went forward 
to join the other two regiments ; and Gen. Quitman’s brigade, 
composed of Col. Davis’s Mississippi riflemen and Col. Campbell’s 
Tennessee volunteers, were ordered to march in the same direc¬ 
tion as the Fourth, followed by the Ohio regiment of Harmer’s 
brigade, the whole commanded by Gen. Butler. The Kentucky 
regiment remained on the plain, to protect the mortar and howitzers. 
The Volunteers, for more than a mile, pressed forward under a fire 
so heavy that the veteran Col. Croghan is said to have pronounced 
it as unprecedented in his experience. The wind of passing balls 
and. bombs continually fanned their faces, and men and officers 
continually fell around; still there was no flinching. A twelve 


52 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


pound shot literally passed through the closed ranks of the Ten¬ 
nessee regiment, throwing fragments of human beings into the air, 
and drenching the living with gore. 

As the Volunteers neared the city, the Ohio regiment, under the 
immediate command of Gen. Butler, bore to the right, while the 
Tennesseans and Mississippians followed the “Fourth.” 

Col. Garland had entered the city about two hundred yards to 
the right of the first battery : he found the houses of solid ma¬ 
sonry, on the tops of most of which were parapets pierced for 
musketry, from which there poured down a continued fire of small 
arms, which mingled with the shot from the citadel, and the 
canister, grape, and round shot from the numerous works in front. 
Suddenly the van came upon a battery that opened a deadly fire 
from all of its embrasures, while the intervening houses seemed 
glowing hot. Our troops entirely exposed, and ignorant of locali¬ 
ties, received this murderous fire, the officers, the while, cheering 
on their commands. 

But death was busy; every instant noble forms fell prostrate ; so 
terrible, indeed, was the fire that the dead and wounded actually 
lay in pyramids. Major Mansfield, in his dangerous office of 
seeking for available places of attack, accompanied by Col. Kin¬ 
ney, was seen, as if with a charmed life, amid the concentrated 
fire. 

Col. Garland pressed on; the First and Third Infantry fought 
their way from house to house, from street to street. Major Lear, 
commanding the “Third,” fell mortally wounded, a ball passing 
through his neck. In the midst of the hottest of this fire, Col. 
Watson rode up to Col. Garland, at the same time expressing his 
satisfaction at having joined him. Col. Garland mentioned the 
necessity of having the Baltimore battalion to support the regulars. 
Col. Watson dashed off—at that moment his horse was shot from 
under him ; the noble soldier sprang to his feet and ran towards 
his men, exclaiming that he was not hurt, and urging them on to 
the advance: while thus engaged, his voice actually sounding 
above the din of battle, a musket ball from the north-east fort sev¬ 
ered his jugular vein; he fell, and died almost instantly, (Lieut. 




BARBOUR, TERRETT AND WILLIAMS. 


33 


Bowie and a few of his men bein^ near him.) Major Barbour of 
the Third, and Lieut. Terrett of the First, were killed while nobly 
doing their duty. Capt. Williams of the Topographical Corps, 
fell, mortally wounded, upon the pavement, and was dragged, for 
protection, into the doorway of a house, by Lieut. Pope. 

Capt. Bragg here dashed up with his battery, but he found him¬ 
self in a street lined with heavy stone walls, and so narrow that 
he could not bring more than one of his pieces into action without 
hitting our own troops, or wasting his shot against solid masonry. 
The gun he was able to use, raked the street without doing injury 
to the enemy, while he was himself singularly exposed. A large 
number of his horses had been disabled,*hnd the men were falling 
about their pieces; reporting therefore his situation to his com¬ 
manding officer, he was ordered to withdraw, which was accom¬ 
plished with the greatest difficulty, as he was obliged to unlimber 
his carriages in order to reverse them, and in returning was again 
exposed to the cross-fire of the citadel. 

Capt. Backus of the First Infantry, with a portion of his own, 
and other companies, succeeded, by using the bayonet, in getting 
possession of ashed some one hundred and twenty yards in the rear 
of the north-east battery. The shed which faced the gorge of the 
battery was surmounted by a wall about two feet high, which 
proved an excellent breastwork for the men. Southward was a 
distillery enclosed by thick walls, sand bag embrasures on the roof 
protected the infantry behind them. Capt. Backus drove the 
Mexicans, with considerable loss to them, from this building, and 
took possession of it. 

Meanwhile, Col. Garland, finding that his command was becom¬ 
ing scattered in every direction, and that whenever a man or offi¬ 
cer showed himself he was instantly shot down, and also feeling 
that it would be impossible to collect a sufficient quantity of troops 
to effect any thing by a coup de main , by Major Mansfield’s advice, 
ordered his men to retire ; intending, however, to re-form them 
for effective duty, having then learned, although at great cost, 
something definite of the enemy’s positions. 

Capt. Backus, who with his command was separated from his 
e 2 


54 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


regiment, perceived that the firing on our side had ceased, although 
his men were still keeping up an effective one, in the midst of 
which he received orders to retire ; when about to do so, he heard 
a discharge of small arms in front of the fort, and at the same time 
the heavy pieces opened in the same direction. 

The Volunteer Divisions under Gen. Quitman, preceded by two 
companies of the Fourth, had now gained the front of the redoubt; 
the regulars far in the advance, and not more than ninety strong, 
received its concentrated fire, which in an instant struck down 
one-third of their number, among whom were the noble Lieuts. 
Hoskins and Woods, who were instantly killed; Lieut. Graham, 
while in advance of his nften, and with uplifted arm waving them 
on, fell, mortally wounded. 

Capt. Backus, who had ceased firing, at once determined to re¬ 
main in his position. Re-posting his men on the stone-roofed shed, 
and on the distillery, he commenced a deliberate and destructive 
fire upon the gorge of the fort, killing the enemy at their guns. 
At the same time that the Mexicans found themselves assailed so 
hotly in their rear, they perceived the Volunteer Division, twelve 
hundred strong, approaching in order of battle, and upon this ex¬ 
tended line they dissipated the fire of their artillery. 

The ground immediately in front of the fort was level, and the 
Volunteers coolly formed under the guns. Meanwhile, the Missis¬ 
sippi regiment, on their right, was led on by Gen. Quitman, who 
commanded in person. The Volunteers, as they advanced, used 
their rifles with great effect, and as they neared the fort, charged in 
gallant style, it being a matter of rivalry between the two attacking 
regiments, which should be first upon the walls. The Mexicans, 
assailed, at once, with musketry in the rear, and the rifles of the 
Volunteers in front, abandoned their works precipitately, and fled. 
But,few remained to dispute for the mastery, with the gallant 
spirits who first mounted the ramparts. Col. Davis’s men were 
fortunate in finding, immediately in front of them, an open embra¬ 
sure, into which they poured as if driven by a storm. Lieut. Col. 
McClung leaped the ditch, and was probably the first man on the 
parapet, sword in hand, and brandishing it over his head, he sprang 


I 



OUR FLAG ON MONTEREY. 


55 * 


among the enemy ; his regiment rushed after him, thus gallantly 
cheered on by their colonel. A Mexican officer presented his 
sword to Lieut. Col. McClung, who, while in the act of accepting, re¬ 
ceived a severe wound in his hip. Whether the Mexican officer 
inflicted the wound or not, will never be known, but the Missis- 
sippians, supposing that he did, in the excitement and indignation 
of the moment slew him on the spot. Col. Campbell’s regiment, 
in the mean time, had successfully assaulted the left, and almost 
simultaneously with the fall of Lieut. Col. McClung, unfurled their 
colors to the breeze, as a signal of success, thus having had the 
honor of raising the first American flag that ever waved upon the 
embattled walls of Monterey. 



56 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER VII, 

The Ohio regiment—Gen. Butler—Mexican Cavalry—Bragg’s, Ridgely’s, and 
Webster’s batteries—Col. Garland’s command—The tele du pont —Destructive 
fire Capt. L. N. Morris—Major Graham—Capt. Bainbridge—Mexican Lan¬ 
cers—Gen. Henderson’s Texians—Brutality of the Mexicans—The battle¬ 
field—.The wounded—Lieut. Skerrett—The close of the day—Gen. Taylor 
in the battle. 

While the events recorded in the previous chapter were trans¬ 
piring, Major Gen. Butler, with the First Ohio regiment, entered 
the town on the right of the first battery, and pursuing the in¬ 
structions of the commander-in-chief, felt his way into that part 
of the city, under the fire of a continuous line of batteries in front 
and flank. After traversing several squares in this manner, Gen. 
Butler came up with Major Mansfield, who advised the with¬ 
drawal of the command, stating, that in the advance were works, 
the fire of which would sweep all before them. Gen. Butler, 
knowing that Gen. Taylor was but a short distance in the rear, 
galloped hack and communicated the information, in consequence 
of which, an order was given for a retrograde movement. Almost 
instantly afterward, one of Gen. Taylor’s staff informed him that 
the north-east fort had been taken, when he countermanded the 
order for the withdrawal of the Ohio regiment, being determined 
to hold the batteries and defences already gained. Gen. Butler 
was then directed to enter the city farther to the left, in the direc¬ 
tion of the second battery, in the line running along the San 
Juan, and, if it was practicable, carry it by storm. The work 
was a strong one, flanked by a stone wall ten feet high ; in front 
was a deep ditch, while the rear was covered by a strong force 
of musketry under complete shelter. Two other batteries on the 
right swept the ground leading to it, while it w r as impossible 
to obtain an exact knowledge of them until immediately upon 
them. 



MEXICAN CAVALRY. 


57 


As the Ohio regiment continued on, the concentrated fire be¬ 
came overwhelming. Col. Mitchell, commanding the regiment, 
fell from his horse severely wounded; at the same time a musket- 
ball struck Gen. Butler below the knee, which caused such a loss 
of blood that he was compelled to retire. The regiment was then 
ordered into open ground in the suburbs of the city, where it was 
less exposed than in the streets, yet in a favorable place for 
obtaining the actual position of the enemy’s strongholds. 

A large body of Mexican cavalry that had been hovering 
under the guns of the citadel, and occasionally making a demon¬ 
stration upon the rear of our troops, where small and unsupported 
parties of our men were collecting the killed and wounded, were 
seen approaching the Ohioans. The regiment took position in 
line under cover of a brush fence, and repulsed the Lancers, not, 
however, until they had speared several of our wounded who lay 
upon the ground. The Mexicans soon returned with reinforce¬ 
ments to the charge, the whole forming a body supposed to be at 
least one thousand strong. Gen. Taylor, observing the movement, 
ordered Capt. Bragg, and Capt. Miller of the First Infantry, with a 
mixed command to support him, to advance and open their fire 
upon them. The attention of the Lancers being directed toward 
the Ohio troops, Capt. Bragg was enabled to pour upon them an 
unexpected and destructive fire, which caused them to retreat 
with confusion and precipitation to the protection of the walls of 
the citadel. 

Fragments of the various regiments engaged were now under 
cover of the captured battery, and the buildings on its front and 
right. The field-batteries of Capts. Bragg and Ridgely were 
also partially covered in the same way, although an incessant fire 
was kept up upon their position from the second battery, from other 
works near it, still in the possession of the enemy, and from the 
citadel. One twelve pounder of the captured artillery was placed 
m Battery and directed against “No. 2,” until the arrival of Capt. 
Webster’s howitzer battery which took its place. 

Gen. Taylor was still determined to take, if possible, the second 
fort, w r hich, from its spiteful and incessant fire, was called by our 


58 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


men, “the devil’s own to accomplish which, he ordered the 
Baltimore battalion, with such men as could be collected of the 
First, Third, and Fourth regiments, the whole under command 
of Col. Garland, to enter the town and carry the work if possible. 
The moment the command had left the cover of the captured bat¬ 
tery, it was exposed to a galling fire, from almost every point, of 
musketry, escopets, and artillery. Down every street they crossed, 
was poured a hail-storm of missiles ; batteries with fiery embra¬ 
sures were met in every direction ; yet, on they pushed in spite 
of the doings of death about them ; the officers in the lead show¬ 
ing a spirit worthy of the ardor of their men. Several gardens 
were passed through, the command then marched-up a street 
that ran parallel with the fort; hoping by this means to approach 
its rear as nearly as possible, and also to find a crossing over a 
deep canal that was between them and the work ; as they pro¬ 
gressed they discovered that over this canal was thrown a splendid 
bridge, its lower works serving as a dam. The tete du pont was 
strongly fortified by walls, w r ith embrasures for two cannons thrown 
across the streets leading to it. The whole was still farther strength¬ 
ened by deep ditches in front. This work was full of Mexican in¬ 
fantry, who also swarmed upon the house-tops in the vicinity. Upon 
the opposite end of the bridge were placed two pieces of artillery, 
and the whole of these defences, of which our soldiers previously 
knew nothing, opened simultaneously upon them, while crowded 
into a narrow street. Here officers and men were again literally 
mowed down. Detached parts of companies succeeded in getting 
into many of the houses and yards, and discharged their pieces when¬ 
ever an enemy could be seen. Here it was that the undaunted cou¬ 
rage of the American soldier displayed itself. Under this sweep¬ 
ing storm they continued to advance by file, steadily deliver their 
fire, retire and load, and then return to the attack, as deliberately 
as if it were mere holiday practice. It was at this time that so 
many gallant spirits fell. Capt. L. N. Morris was shot down, and 
Lieut. Haslett, while dragging him into a house, was mortally 
wounded. At this critical moment, the command of the Third 
devolved upon Capt. Henry, who had in the morning entered the 


GEN. TAYLOR IN THE FIELD. 


59 


contest, with five seniors in his regiment, Brevet Major Graham 
commanding the Fourth; and Capt. Bainbridge had already been 
wounded, and compelled to retire. In spite of these continued 
losses, Col. Garland determined to hold his position, and, accord¬ 
ingly, despatched two officers to bring into the action the artillery 
batteries. Notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstances under 
which we attacked the enemy in these strongholds, our fire told 
with great effect; and they often faltered at their batteries, but 
the constant arrival of reinforcements to them, joined with the 
fact that the ammunition of our men was nearly expended, and 
the artillery had not come up, caused Gen. Taylor to order the 
troops to retire, which they did in the greatest good order ; 
although they bore off with them many of their killed and 
w'ounded, and suffered under a fire severer, if possible, than 
before. 

On arriving at the captured redoubt, both men and officers were 
ordered to protect themselves, by lying flat upon the ground, under 
cover of a slight embankment. Here, although exposed to bul¬ 
lets and shells, they remained until ordered into the fort. That 
was a dark moment in the history of the first day’s assault on 
Monterey, when Col. Garland returned. Very many of the flower 
of the army, both regulars and volunteers, had been cut down. 
The First Division that had in the morning so proudly entered the 
city, was thinned in numbers, and surrounded by the dead and 
dying. 

Gen. Taylor had, throughout the day, been in the thickest of the 
fight; coolly, on foot, he directed the different movements, but at 
this time had remounted his horse. His face was noticed to wear 
an expression that told too plainly how deeply he felt the respon¬ 
sibility of his situation. As he was riding a short distance from 
the fort, an express dashed up, with information from the Second 
Division. The old general’s dark eye lit up with pleasure; he 
rode up to the redoubt, and removing his cap, said: “Fellow- 
soldiers, I have heard from Gen. Worth, he has already carried 
two of the enemy’s batteries. Who will join me in three cheers 
for him and his brave comrades ?” 


60 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


The arch of heaven resounded with the response, and many a 
poor fellow expended his last breath to join the animated huzzas. 
The Mexicans for a moment ceased playing their guns, but only 
to commence anew with increased ardor. 

At this time, a body of Lancers, who had been stationed on 
the opposite side of the river, advanced to within six hundred 
yards of the captured battery, and commenced a destructive fire 
with their escopets, which wounded several of our men. Gen. 
Taylor ordered Ridgely to get a howitzer in position and give 
them a few shells ; this order was promptly obeyed. At the third 
discharge a shell exploded in their very midst, killing horses and 
men, and causing them to fly in panic, a cheer from our side 
accelerating their speed. A body of Mexican sharp shooters ad¬ 
vanced on the right, and commenced firing from that point. 
Capt. Cheever’s company of Claiborne volunteers, attached to the 
Fourth Infantry, was ordered to drive them back. This was done, 
although in the face of a raking fire from the fort. 

While Col. Garland’s command was at the tete du pont , Gen. 
Taylor sent an express for Gen. Henderson, who, with his second 
Texan regiment, was a considerable distance to the right. Gen. 
Henderson hastened to obey the order; when a mile from the cap¬ 
tured redoubt, he dismounted his men, and they proceeded on 
foot. W 7 hen the regiment reached the fort, it was, with the first 
division, ordered back to camp. The march of the Texians was 
over the whole length of the plain, across which, the enemy had 
during the afternoon directed their guns at every living thing. 
Sometimes at the moving columns, but oftener at those who were 
busy succoring the wounded, or removing the dead. Often did 
a party of our men, even while in the act of rendering some kind 
office to suffering humanity, find the twelve-pound shot ricochet- 
ting over their heads, or striking among them, adding numbers to the 
already suffering whom they were endeavoring to relieve. Ap¬ 
palling indeed were the scenes on that field of carnage. Many 
of the wounded writhed in agony, and others, quiet in their last 
hour of life, gazed with anxious eyes toward the sinking sun; 
their faces, in the morning glowingwith health, were now' w*an as 


THE CLOSE OF DAY. 


61 


if with months of consuming- disease. All begged but for one 
drop of water to quench the thirst that consumed their vitals. 
Along the pathway of the shot that fairly raked through the solid 
columns of the Tennessee regiment, lay extended the dead in 
every conceivable position of horror, headless trunks, and limbless 
bodies cut in twain. The faces of some wore the placid smile of 
happiness ; in others, the life-blood had ebbed away, leaving the 
expression of defiance and revenge marked upon the inanimate 
clay. The wounded strove to creep about, or thrown hurriedly 
into wagons, to be conveyed to the surgeons, were in despair; for 
they knew well that war permitted no care for their condition, no 
thought for their relief, no gentle sympathy for their pain, and be¬ 
fore them was wasting disease, perhaps lingering death. Far 
from home, no assiduous friend, no affectionate sister, no living 
mother soothed their anguish. The poor private died unnoticed 
and unknown, yet by some quiet hearthstone, far from the tumult 
of cities, tears will be shed for his fall; the stern old father will 
nerve himself to his loss, by the thought that the sacrifice was 
made for his country, while the aged mother’s heart bleeds with a 
wound time cannot heal. To such retreats must we go, if we 
would learn all the suffering that resulted from that scene before 
the walls of Monterey. 

The day was already spent, when the regulars of the First Di¬ 
vision, and Capt. Ridgely, were detailed as guards to the captured 
works ; the whole under Lieut. Col. Garland. One battalion of 
the first Kentucky regiment was ordered to reinforce this com¬ 
mand, and intrenching tools were procured, that additional strength 
might be given to the works. With the darkness, commenced a 
drizzling rain, rendered more chilling by a cold north wind. The 
poor fellows, who had fought all day without food, still worked on, 
while such as were permitted the luxury of repose, sought it upon 
the cold damp earth, without even a blanket to shield them from 
the storm. Lieut. Skerrett of the Engineers, with details of men 
from every regiment, labored all the night with the greatest assi- 
duit) r . Several small houses were torn down, the walls of which 
were used for barricades, and to further strengthen the defences 
F 


62 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


of the place, the ditch of the fort was widened; so incessant was 
the labor, that by the morning a protection had been made from 
the fire of “ the devil’s own,” and the fort rendered almost impreg¬ 
nable to assault. The Claiborne volunteers occupied the distillery, 
from the walls of which, the sentinel, as he walked his lonely 
rounds, by the light of the Mexican rockets that continually hissed 
through the air, to prevent surprises from a night attack, saw the 
enemy at his feet, looking mysterious and grim. 

So closed, to the first and volunteer divisions, the memorable 
day of the twenty-first. On that day also had been witnessed a 
scene which has no precedent in military history. The Com¬ 
mander-in-chief was in the fiercest of the fight; where poured the 
thickest iron and copper hail, there was he seen apparently igno¬ 
rant of danger; and wherever he appeared, new energies were 
created; the faltering column was nerved to giant strength, the 
remnant of a gallant company forgot its losses and pressed on ; 
while officers who had nobly led their men, and seen them fall 
around them, under the sagacious eye of their great leader, aroused 
themselves to new exertions. Hard indeed would it be for the 
philosopher of the workings of the human mind to fathom the 
depths of care and anxiety that rested on Gen. Taylor on that day. 
He was far in an enemy’s country, with but few troops, to whom 
he bore“ by his great sympathy and constant intercourse, almost 
the relation of a father. It was no wonder that Capt. Henry and 
other officers so closely surrounded his person, as he passed through 
the streets of the city, upon which the fortifications around the tete 
du pont concentrated their fire. It seemed a miracle, that amid 
the dying and the dead, so thickly strewn around, he remained 
unharmed. An overruling providence shielded and protected him 
from the thousand perils with which he was surrounded. 


63 


CHARGE OF THE LANCERS. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The morning of the 21st—Gen. Worth’s division—Charge of the Lancers— 
Death of the Mexican colonel—West side of Monterey—Capt. McKavett— 
Capt. C. F. Smith’s command—Storming of Federation hill—The Eighth regi¬ 
ment—The Fifth, and Blanchard’s Louisianians—Carrying the heights—Gen. 
P. F. Smith—'Carrying the second fort—Nightfall. 

At daylight, on the morning of the 21st, the division under 
Gen. Worth was put in motion, with such formation as to present 
the readiest order of battle, at any point assailed. In. a few mo¬ 
ments only, as it was turning the point of a ridge that pushed the 
column towards the base of Independence hill, the battery upon 
its heights opened, firing shot and shell as fast as the pieces could 
be discharged, doing little execution, however, as they were princi¬ 
pally directed at the baggage train, the enemy supposing the wagons 
were filled with troops. The winding road soon carried our men 
beyond the reach of the guns, although they continued an impo¬ 
tent firing. The head of the column approached near the Saltillo 
road, when, turning suddenly round the point of an abrupt hill, 
there was discovered a strong force of cavalry and infantry, while 
upon the ascending ground that lay between the road and the 
Bishop’s Palace, were to be seen, waving above the growing corn- 
tops, the green and red pennons of another body of Lancers. 

McCulloch’s and Acklen’s companies being in the advance, de¬ 
ployed to the right of the road, and dismounted under cover of the 
chapparel. They were, however, too distant to effect any thing 
with their rifles; and upon discovering it, they deliberately aban¬ 
doned their concealment, remounted, with orders to come within 
reach of the enemy, dismount, and protect themselves under cover 
of a fence bounding a corn-field on the left of the road. This 
manoeuver was accomplished without opposition, although per¬ 
formed in full view of the enemy, who then charged, or more 


64 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


properly dashed up the road, firing their escopetts as they passed, 
at the Texians; they in turn sustaining a murderous fire, which 
dropped them in great numbers from their horses; yet they gal¬ 
lantly rushed on, their colonel commanding attracting universal 
attention by his chivalrous conduct. 

The regular skirmishers, under Capt. C. F. Smith and Capt. 
Scott, now opened upon the approaching Lancers, two companies 
of the Eighth regiment at the same time charging upon them, 
while a portion of McCulloch’s men, under Capt. Walker, who 
had remained mounted, engaged them in a hand to hand conflict. 

Never was there an enemy more vigorously assailed; parties 
of the regulars entered the corn-fields, and opened upon such of 
the Mexicans as were in the road leading to the town ; our sharp¬ 
shooters were possessing themselves of every point that would 
annoy ; and dismounted Texians crept like stealthy Indians in their 
pathway, and, unseen, shot them down. Duncan, with his battery 
and a section of McCall’s, was at work in one minute after the 
action commenced, pouring over the heads of our men a shower 
of grape, that struck the Mexicans to the earth, knocking horses 
and riders together in confused heaps, and rolling others headlong 
down the neighbouring steeps. The enemy faltered, wheeled, 
and rushed down the road, again receiving the terrible fire of the 
Texians, who were protected behind the fence, and of the infantry 
posted along cn the sides of the hills. Their charge and repulse 
was marked by the dead, nearly all who were in their advance 
being killed. The noble colonel, whose gallantry attracted so 
much attention, was last to retreat; he reined in his horse, and 
leisurely rode down the Texian line, one of whom raised his rifle, 
took deliberate aim, and fired ; the spirited cavalier fell, regretted 
by all who witnessed his bearing and his death. Ere the close of 
the combat, which lasted less than fifteen minutes, the First bri¬ 
gade had formed to the front, on the right and left, and delivered 
-ts fire ; the Second brigade being held as a reserve, the ground 
not permitting its deployment. The enemy was pursued until 
Gen. W orth got possession of the gorge, where all the debouches 
from Monterey unite, whereby the forces just defeated, and also 



WEST SIDE OF MONTEREY. 


65 


reinforcements and supplies were excluded from entrance into the 
west side of the city. 

Such was the brilliant end and important result of what has 
been termed the “ Lancers’ charge,” of the morning of the 21st,— 
a charge in which the enemy displayed a readiness to face death, 
yet a perfect inability, in spite of their numbers?to make any im¬ 
pression on our troops. It is probable that one hundred Mexicans 
were here killed and wounded ; more than thirty bodies were, on 
the following morning, buried in one pit, while the chapparel was 
known to conceal many wounded, who had crawled away hope¬ 
lessly to linger and die. The loss on our side was one man. 

At the gorge Gen. Worth halted, but finding that he was within 
effective range of the enemy’s batteries, which not only opened 
upon him from Independence hill, but also from a heretofore un¬ 
known one, of two heavy pieces from a summit directly overhang¬ 
ing his position, he gave orders to move up the Saltillo road; our 
light artillery taking position and opening upon the fort on Palace 
Hill, but without effect; while the plunging fire of the enemy be¬ 
came so well aimed, that Capt. Duncan moved up to where Gen. 
Worth had established his quarters, and towards which the whole 
of the division moved. 

Gen. Worth, upon examination, found that it was impracticable 
to effect any operations against the western side of the city, until the 
exterior forts and defences were in his possession. Aside from 
ulterior objects, the occupation of the heights became indispensable 
for the restoration of a line of communication with head-quarters, 
necessarily abandoned for a moment, to secure the gorge of the 
Saltillo road. The entrance to the city of Monterey, from the west 
side, as we have before described, leads along the margin of the 
San Juan, and is hemmed in on either side by high mountains. 
Across the San Juan, and opposite to the Bishop’s palace, are two 
lofty eminences, on the crest of the nearest of which was the bat¬ 
tery called Federation, and on the same ridge, some six hundred 
yards eastward, was Soledad, the two commandingAhe slopes and 
roads in either valley, and consequently the approaches to the city. 
The discharges from Federation hill were constant, the balls often 
f 2 5 




66 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


falling in the midst of our men. It was under this fire that Capt. 
McKavett of the Eighth Infantry w r as shot through the heart, and 
a private of the Fifth was mortally wounded. Without farther loss 
the division deployed into the various positions pointed out, beyond 
the reach of the enemy’s guns ; the excitement of the occasion 
being increased, by hearing at intervals a heavy firing at the other 
end of the town, plainly denoting the assault that had commenced 
there. 

At noon Gen. Worth having completed his plans, determined 
upon the daring manceuver of carrying the different heights by 
storm. He ordered out four companies of the Fourth Artillery, 
and six companies of Texas riflemen, under Major Chevalier, in all 
about three hundred strong. Gen. Worth honored Capt. C. F. 
Smith with the command, ordering him to carry the batteries on 
Federation hill. Capt. Smith proceeded promptly to the execution 
of his allotted task. Under cover of some corn fields, he followed 
up the banks of the San Juan in search of a ford ; upon finding one 
he dashed into the water, his men following him. The current 
was strong and deep, and it was with some difficulty that a foot¬ 
hold was kept, particularly when holding the heavy musket and 
cartridge box over the head, in places where the stream was more 
than waist deep. The Mexicans seemed to know that an attack 
was contemplated, for there was an evident bustle upon the heights, 
and light troops were seen descending, and arranging themselves 
upon the slopes. Gen. Worth presuming from this that they would 
make a determined resistance, ordered the Seventh regiment, under 
Capt. Miles, to support the storming party. Capt. Miles took a 
direct course to the foot of the mountain, making no attempt to 
conceal the movement. The river was forded directly under the 
battery, amid most literally a shower of balls, which, as they struck in 
the water, dashed the spray over the faces of the men. After cross¬ 
ing, the regiment formed at the base of the mountain, and in full 
view of the enemy, who poured down its sides musket, grape and 
round shot, w&ich in their course cut through the matted chap- 
parel, and sent fragments of rock into the air, yet not a single man 
was wounded during these continual discharges. Capt. Miles 


STORMING OF FEDERATION HILL. 


6 7 


was thus entirely unprotected while waiting for Capt. Smith to 
come up, who had from his circuitous route not yet arrived at the 
base of the mountain. In the meanwhile, to divert the attention of 
the Mexicans, Lieutenants Garrett, Gardner and Little, with small 
parties, clambered up the sides as skirmishers. The most intense 
excitement prevailed among those who witnessed, from the head¬ 
quarters of Gen. Worth, the progress of the storming party. Mid¬ 
way in air, the enemy could be seen in force, their arms glittering, 
while their thundering cannon seemed to have annihilated our 
little band, who, hidden by the chapparel, had, by an hour’s silence, 
awakened the deepest anxiety. Soon, however, Capt. Smith hav¬ 
ing come up and taken the lead, a rattling fire commenced from 
below, at first broken, then circling around the base, then wreath¬ 
ing up the hill. Occasionally glimpses were caught of the gallant 
fellows, as they sprang from cliff to cliff; rock after projecting rock 
developed itself as the smoke still ascended, and the enemy moved 
higher and higher up. The whizzing rifles of the Texians could be 
distinguished from the muskets of the regulars, that were discharged 
as regularly as if by machinery. Alarm wrought its work upon the 
heights, and dark lines of reinforcements were seen deploying 
towards the Mexican hosts, and thousands stood ready to meet the 
little band that still pressed upward. Gen. Worth, with eagle eye, 
perceived and executed. He ordered the Fifth, under Major Scott, 
and Blanchard’s Louisiana boys, with Col. P. F. Smith, to the 
scene of strife. They dashed across the river, and with hasty strides 
reached the base of the mountain. Its perpendicular cliffs frowned 
upon them as they circled round to the eastern side, and began to 
ascend. They seemed to tread down the uneven surface, to fly 
across the yawning chasms, and crush the matted thorn beneath 
their feet. Capt. C. F. Smith’s command, the while, had met the 
enemy, and their shouts mingled with the roar of the artillery. 
The cliffs had become so steep that the wide-mouthed cannon that 
had been belching forth their murderous volleys could no longer be 
depressed, and sent their shot harmlessly into the air. The voice 
of the noble Gillespie was heard in the van, the cruelties of Mier 
and San Jacinto glared before the eyes of the Texians, and nerved 




ObR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


b8 

’ 

their arms to invincibility, while all, surrounded by ten thousand 
glorious associations and hopes, rushed forward, eager to contend 
with the innumerable hosts that opposed them. The enemy wa¬ 
vered in their strongholds, the victors mounted the walls, and the 
stars and stripes were unfurled mid-heaven, in such shouts of tri¬ 
umph, that the reverberations that had heretofore come like distant 
thunder from the tongued valleys of the Sierre Madre, now fairly 
leaped alongdts eternal cliffs, and as if in exultation echoed back 
the cry of Victory ! Victory ! 

The Fifth and Louisiana boys, perceiving that the first work 
was carried, pressed obliquely up the mountain to the second fort, 
while those already on the height hastened to their support; never 
was there a more glorious rivalry; the Seventh and Fifth quick¬ 
ened their speed. The Mexicans, still vigorous in defence, turned 
their guns upon the advancing columns, and poured upon them 
one sheeted flame ; they seemed to have roused themselves to do 
or die. They fought valiantly ; their skirmishers retreated step 
by step, but they could not long withstand the heavy onslaught of 
our troops, as they swept all before them. The three commands 
mingled together upon the blood-stained battlements. The Mexi¬ 
cans, although in multitudinous strength, were helpless with ter¬ 
ror ; they abandoned their strongholds, and precipitately rushed 
down the steeps of the mountains. The heavy muskets of Blanch¬ 
ard’s men rattled upon the walls, and were among the first to open 
a way for the Americans, into the heart of the Soled ad. The 
deserted flag of the Mexicans was tom down, and upon the ram¬ 
parts the colors of the Fifth were given to the breeze; but ere 
their silken folds had fairly stretched upon the wind, the standard ' 
of the Seventh was unfurled in emulation. Upon the high moun¬ 
tain peaks that immediately overlooked Monterey, was now dis¬ 
played our eagle, from beneath which, upon the proud palace of 
the Bishops, and the devoted city, our artillery plunged a galling 
fire. The bird was in his eyrie, and pluming himself to stoop, 
upon the morrow, for his final victory. 

Gen. Worth then issued orders for the removing of our wounded 
and the burial of the dead. Of both, our loss was but fifteen,— 




CLOSE OF THE TWENTY-FIRST. 


69 


a loss singularly small; while the enemy suffered severely, and 
great numbers of their killed were found at different points where 
combats had taken place. To keep possession of the heights 
taken, Capt. C. F. Smith, with his regulars, was ordered to pass 
the night in the stronghold he had carried, while Capt. Miles, with 
the “ Seventh,” remained at El Solado. Major Scott, with the 
“Fifth,” moved down toward the city. The sun sank behind the 
mountains ; the dark, murky clouds that had, throughout the day, 
obscured its brightness, rolled upward in masses, and spread over 
the heavens. Without food or shelter our troops bivouacked for the 
night, many of them within reach of the enemy’s guns. The 
cold winds pierced through their wet clothing, but neither cold nor 
the hunger of a two days’ fast could destroy their enthusiasm and 
energy. All was cheerful and animated; not a murmur was 
heard, and the day to come was looked forward to as opening a 
field for new victories, and for adding new glories to the American 


arms. 




70 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 




CHAPTER IX. 

Morning of the 22d—Gen. Worth’s division—Storming of the heights above 
the Bishop’s palace—Lieut. Col. Child’s command—Independence hill—Dis¬ 
covery of the storming party—Scene from the heights—Gillespie and Thomas 
—Lieut. Roland—Preparations for assaulting th.e Bishop’s palace—Mexican 
cavalry charge—The retreat—Taking of the palace—Operations of the First 
division—Close of the day. 

Long before the break of day, on the 22d, the party intending 
to storm the heights above the Bishop’s palace, took up their line 
of march. #It consisted of three companies of the artillery battalion, 
under Capt. Vinton ; three companies of the Eighth Infantry, 
under Capt. Screven ; and two hundred Texan riflemen, under 
Colonels Hays and Walker, Lieut. Col. Childs having the com¬ 
mand. Capt. Sanders and Lieut. Meade, Topographical Engineers, 
led the way. * 

The formation of Independence hill, upon which was situated 
the Bishop’s palace, is well known. It presented an abrupt preci¬ 
pice from its crest, looking towards the mountains ; but it descended 
towards the city gradually, until the suburbs encroached upon its 
base. More than midway up were reared the walls of the Epis¬ 
copal edifice. By the gradual ascent, a quarter of a mile still 
further up, on the very crest of the mountain, "was a strong breast¬ 
work of sand-bags, immediately resting upon a precipice of sixty 
feet perpendicular. To storm this stronghold was Col. Child’s 
orders. 

The approaching day was favorable ; a dark mist hung like a 
cloud over the mountain, under the cover of which and the dark¬ 
ness, our troops were enabled to gain its base and climb far up its 
sides, before the enemy was aware of it, although their troops were 
stationed as if anticipating an attack. 

With the dull light of morning Col. Childs was discovered, and 
the advanced pickets opened upon him from the clefts in the rocks, 


SCENE FROM THE HEIGHTS. 


71 


at the same time the troops in the intrenchments fired volleys wildly 
down the descent. Regulars and rangers quickened their steps, 
the latter opening with their rifles ; presently the regulars gave 
one united shout, and charged with their bayonets. The skirmish¬ 
ers of the Mexicans faltered, and fell back to their breastworks. 
The assailing party went on, seizing hold of the chapparel that 
grew from the perpendicular rocks. In spite of the encumbrance 
of heavy muskets, the natural obstacles of the ground, and the 
rolling fire of the enemy, the members of it made their way to 
the base of the fort, over which they rushed, the Texians club¬ 
bing their rifles, and the regulars using their bayonets. It w r as in 
vain that the enemy endeavored to check the charge. The gray 
of the morning had not yet fairly appeared ; in the mists that 
rolled about, our troops were exaggerated in size and numbers, 
and seemed pouring upon the cloud-crest hill from the very hea¬ 
vens. The Mexicans, in confusion, retreated down the sides of the 
mountain to the protecting walls of the Bishop’s castle ; a shout 
so loud announced the success of our arms, that it must have been 
heard in the very heart of Monterey. 

What language can describe the feelings of officers and men, 
when the view presented from the heights fairly opened in the 
sunshine ? Victors, they stood under the flag of their country, and 
found the frowning walls of the castle at their feet; below that 
still nestled the devoted, but beautiful city of Monterey. Looking 
northward up the valley of the San Juan, the mists of the opening 
day were seen rolling over the sides of the hills and mountains, 
kissing the luxuriant corn and cane-fields ; while far in the vista 
the picturesque town of Merine nestled among the fastnesses. 
Southward, the silver line of the same river seemed to have opened 
its w T ay through the defiles of the mountains, blessing its banks with 
orange-groves and flowers, as if to dispel the eternal shadows that 
rest upon its pellucid waters. Across the river were seen the bat¬ 
teries of the Federation hill; the stars and stripes hung quietly 
over the ramparts, while their captors paced lazily as sentinels, or 
sat listlessly enjoying the scene. 

But there were eyes that saw not all this beauty, but stared 






72 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


wildly into the vault of heaven, yet with smiling lips that seemed 
to indicate that there were beauties in another world, far more 
transcendant than ever hurst upon the vision in this—Gillespie 
and Thomas were among the dead. 

Col. Childs had been ordered to gain the crest at any sacrifice, 
and wait for farther instructions. It was soon discovered that 
nothing could be effected against the stronghold of the Bishop’s 
palace, the next place of assault, without too great a loss of life, 
unaided by artillery. Whereupon Gen. Worth ordered Lieut. 
Roland, of Duncan’s battery, from the main camp, with a twelve- 
pound howitzer. This piece, in two hours, under the direction of 
Capt. Sanders, with a force of fifty men, was dragged up precipices, 
and literally lifted over yawning chasms, until it reached the per¬ 
pendicular elevation of over eight hundred feet. The instant it 
was in position, it opened briskly with shell and shrapnel upon 
the outworks of the Bishop’s, four hundred yards distant. The 
first discharge of the piece produced visible consternation in the 
enemy, for, besides its deadly effects, it took them by surprise—the 
howitzer having been previously covered by an epaulement of the 
captured works. As the shells went bursting into the very win¬ 
dows and openings of the building, the enemy retreated from the 
loop-holes, and hid behind the parapets. 

While Roland was thus engaged, preparations were making to 
carry the palace by an assault. The Eighth Infantry, under Col. 
Staniford, the Fifth under Maj. Scott, and Blanchard’s volunteers 
were ordered from the opposite heights. They, with the troops 
not engaged in the morning, were employed taking their positions. 
A number of them passed from the south to the north side of the 
mountain, and formed into columns in the ravines and hollows 
that stretch up its sides, where they were partially protected and 
concealed. On the southern side there was also a large force 
ready to move at a moment’s warning. The time consumed in 
these preliminaries was so well employed by Lieut. Roland, that 
the enemy, driven to desperation, at the time of their completion, 
fortunately resolved on a charge—encouraged no doubt by the fact 
of seeing our forces, heretofore supporting our artillery, move down 



TAKING OF THE BISHOP'S PALACE. 


73 


towards the palace. The Mexicans, seeing the force was small, 
sallied out of the palace walls with a strong force of cavalry, joined 
at the same instant by another large body heretofore concealed be¬ 
hind the hill. Thus strengthened, the body charged up the height 
upon our troops, who stood their ground until the enemy came 
quite near ; they then kept falling back. The Mexicans gained 
confidence by this apparent retreat, and imagining the moment had 
arrived when the}'' could recover the captured work, dashed on 
with animation. No sooner had they got fairly beyond the pro¬ 
tecting walls of the palace, than our concealed columns rapidly 
advanced up the sides of the mountain. The retreating column 
suddenly stood firm, and delivered a, murderous fire. The enemy, 
although severely handled, still pushed on, when, to their conster¬ 
nation, they discovered our troops in their rear endeavoring to 
surround them, with a wall of bristling bayonets. They gave a 
yell of surprise, wheeled their horses, and confusedly broke for 
the protecting walls of the palace. The descent gave them terri¬ 
ble speed as they fled. Many precipitately rushed into the sally 
port, but a majority continued their wild flight into the city. Our 
troops entered the palace walls pell-mell along with the enemy, 
and soon cleared it of any who remained to dispute with them for its 
possession. A moment after, a tremendous climax of explosions 
from the guns of the fort and castle, mingled with the roar and rat¬ 
tle of small arms, and the exulting shouts of victory, high above all, 
announced that the Bishop’s palace was ours. The American flag, 
by the hands of Lieut. Ayres, was made to take the place of that 
of Mexico, and the guns of the stronghold were turned upon the 
suburbs of the city. 

Capt. Duncan soon arrived with his flying artillery, and posting it 
in front of the palace, poured a storm of iron into the barricades be¬ 
low, driving their defenders in confusion from them. Thus was 
the west end of the city possessed by Gen. Worth, with all its 
strongholds, and commanding positions. It was accomplished by 
a series of brilliant exploits, which will shed a never dying lustre 
upon his name, and upon Gen. Taylor’s nobleness of heart, who 
G 7 


74 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


assigned to him in the assault on Monterey a distinct and inde¬ 
pendent command. 

The day passed without any active operations in the lower part 
of the city. The citadel and other works in possession of the 
enemy kept up a constant firing. Towards noon a strong demon¬ 
stration was made upon the plain. May’s dragoons, Webster’s 
battery of artillery, the First, Third and Fourth Infantry, the Balti¬ 
more battalion, the Kentucky and Ohio regiments, appeared in bat¬ 
tle array. Thus situated, they were passive spectators, although 
distant ones, of the taking of the Bishop’s palace. The atmo¬ 
sphere was clear, and the incessant fire of musketry and cannon 
was distinctly heard, while our troops and the enemy’s, in masses, 
could easily be distinguished. In the midst of the excitement 
naturally induced, a piece of artillery opened from the height above 
the palace, and by its rapid discharges showed it did good execu¬ 
tion. “ Was it the enemy,” or “our friends ?” was asked by a thou¬ 
sand anxious voices. An express from Gen. Worth explained the 
mystery. It was Roland’s well-served piece. 


ORDER OF BATTLE. 


75 


CHAPTER X. 

Morning of the 23d—Fort Diablo—Order of Battle—Gen. Quitman’s division— 
Gen. Henderson’s command—Gen. Lamar and Col. Wood—Terrible as¬ 
sault—Its effects—Letter from Governor Morales—The second division— 
Entrance into the city—East end of the city—Major Munroe—Gen. Ampu- 
dia—The plaza—Nightfall. 

On Tuesday night the enemy abandoned Fort “ Diablo,” which 
being discovered at daylight the following morning, (the 23d,) it 
was reported to the commander-in-chief, who immediately ordered 
Gen. Quitman to take possession of it, which was promptly done 
by a portion of the Mississippi and Tennessee regiments. The 
enemy having withdrawn their artillery during the night, nothing 
of value fell into our hands. A report at this time became preva¬ 
lent that the enemy was retreating in great numbers by the Cade- 
rita road. Gen. Henderson was promptly ordered to mount the 
second Texan regiment for pursuit. Simultaneous with the march 
of the Texan regiment, Twiggs’s division, composed of Wilson’s 
and Garland’s brigades, Hamer’s brigade of volunteers, Bragg’s 
artillery, and May’s dragoons, moved in order of battle towards 
the town. 

The moment Gen. Quitman’s troops had taken possession of 
the abandoned fort, the enemy still holding possession of the 
strong houses in the vicinity, and particularly of a horn work, two 
hundred yards distant, giving them, under cover, an opportunity 
to fire into the gorge of the fort, it was found necessary to dislodge 
them. Gen. Taylor at this time arrived at the field of operations, 
and gave Gen. Quitman orders to advance in the direction of the 
horn work, and, if practicable, to occupy it. It was evident that 
the approaches to the city in that direction were all strongly forti¬ 
fied. Gen. Quitman proceeded with great prudence; he first sent 
out a party of riflemen under Lieut. Groves, to reconnoitre, sup- 


i 





76 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


ported by a company of Tennessee infantry, under Capf. McMur- 
ray. Some active movements on the part of the enemy induced 
Gen. Quitman to order out four more companies, two from each 
regiment, under command of Col. Davis. The Mississippians and 
Tennesseans approached under such cover as the houses casually 
presented; the enemy retreated precipitately from the redoubt, into 
which our troops rushed, only to he assailed in the most fierce 
manner from the strongly fortified houses in the vicinity. The 
troops were soon reinforced by riflemen and infantry; the contest 
soon grew warm, and became general in its character. 

At this moment, Gen. Henderson returned from the Caderita 
road, having found no evidences of the enemy retreating. The 
regiment thus opportunely arrived was ordered by Gen. Taylor to 
dismount, and operate with Gen. Quitman’s brigade. 

The Texians had not as yet fired a gun, and they obeyed the 
order promptly. The officers and men (save Gen. Lamar) were on 
foot, led on by Gen. Henderson and Col. Woods. They moved 
up one or two streets under a galling fire, amidst which Col. 
Woods’s voice was distinctly heard cheering on his men, bidding 
them remember the cruelties of Mier, Goliad, and the massacre of 
Fannin’s men. The Texians sent up their war-whoop of defiance, 
and from that time fought like enraged tigers. Gen. Lamar 
mounted upon his white steed, seemed to loom up like a com¬ 
manding spirit among his men, as he led them on to the charge. 
It was a terrible sight, even compared with all those exhibited in 
the two days of the sanguinary battle of Monterey, to witness the 
Texians ; adopting their own mode of fighting, they soon broke into 
the shut up houses, scaled walls, and appeared on the housetops. 
Wherever a Mexican displayed himself, the deadly fire of the rifle 
brought him down. Thus wildly rushing on, they soon reached 
Gen. Quitman, when the fight became terrible in the extreme. 

Down the streets, where poured an enfilading fire, which the 
Texians had to cross, they would Single out a house on the opposite 
side ; a few of their number, armed with heavy axes, would concen- 
tratedly rush for the door, and at a united blow batter it down ; then, 
into the opening thus made, would rush the remainder. All would 


PLAN OF ASSAULT. 


77 


thus again be safely housed, and thus protected they would soon level 
the sides of the buildings, and work towards the centre of the city. 
The barricades of solid masonry that crossed the streets were thus 
made useless, and the showers of balls that swept in a continued 
stream through them, fell harmlessly against naked walls. The 
invading foe was in the heart of the city , gnawing out its vitals. 
The Mexican soldiers were terror-stricken ; the sealed up domiciles 
of the city would suddenly open upon them, filled with the most 
deadly foes; the escopet gave way before the rifle, whose unerring 
aim dealt death on every side. 

The effect of this strange assault upon the Mexicans exceeds the 
power of language to describe ; huddled often in their retreat into 
masses, and mixed up with their own soldiers, their shrieks of 
terror were sometimes distinguishable above the din of battle. De¬ 
fenceless women and children were often struck down by the brutal 
Mexicans for annoying them with their cries. The governor of 
New Leon, as the civil magistrate of the department, was besought 
by the inhabitants to succor them. Every yell of defiance or of 
exultation that was heard made them more desperate and more 
clamorous. Overcome by entreaty, and probably wishing to anti¬ 
cipate the future, the governor, early in the very commencement 
of the assault, despatched a flag of truce to Gen. Taylor, bearing 
the following note: 

D. Franco I). P. Morales , Governor of New Leon , to Major 

General Taylor. 

[Translated.] 

Monteret, Sept. 23, 8 o'clock, A. M. 

As you are resolved to occupy the place by force of arms, and 
the Mexican general-in-chief resolved to defend it at every cost, as 
his honor and duty require him to do, thousands of victims who, 
from indigence and want of means, find themselves now in the 
theatre of war, and who would be uselessly sacrificed, claim the 
rights which in ail times and in all countries humanity extends. 
As governor of the state, and a legitimate representative of the 
people, I state their case to you, and-Jiope, from your civilization 
g 2 



78 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


and refinement, that whatever may be the event of the present 
contest, you will issue orders that families shall be respected, or 
will grant a reasonable time for them to leave the capital. 

I have the honor to salute you, general-in-chief of the army of 
occupation of the United States, and to assure you of my highest 
consideration. God and Liberty. 

FRANCO DE P. MORALES. 

General-in-chief 

of the Army of Occupation of the United States. 

To which Gen. Taylor replied, denying the privilege to the 
inhabitants of leaving the city. This fact being known, and joined 
with the terrible character of the assault, heightened the conster¬ 
nation, until towards evening it knew no bounds. 

Approaches, towards 3 o’clock, were made, within the reach 
of the strong works immediately surrounding the plaza, upon which 
it was found no impression could successfully be made without 
heavy artillery. The troops had fought all day, as well as the pre¬ 
vious one, without food or shelter, when Gen. Taylor ordered the 
forces to retire to the defences taken in the morning, not for food, 
but for the refreshment of a little rest from their severe labors. 
The withdrawal of the troops was effected in perfect order, and 
while being done, they were saluted with the noise occasioned by the 
attack from Gen. Worth’s division, on the opposite side of the city. 

The whole of the Second Division, except “the Fifth,” which 
w r as stationed on the hill Independence, was concentrated in and 
about the Bishop’s palace, on the morning of the 23d. About 10 
o’clock, Gen. Worth heard the heavy firing in the quarter that 
denoted the engagement of Quitman’s command, which led him to 
believe that the general-in-chief was conducting a main attack ; and 
presuming that orders for co-operation had been miscarried, owing 
to the immense numbers that filled the plain between him and the 
main army, he formed his division into two columns of attack, to 
move along two of the principal streets towards the main plaza. 

Gen. Worth gave orders that the troops mask themselves as 
much as practicable, pass on to the first plaza, la capella , gain pos- 


TERRIBLE ATTACK. 


79 


session of the heads of the streets beyond it, then enter the build¬ 
ings, cut their way through the walls and ascend to the house¬ 
tops. Light artillery by sections, and single pieces under Duncan, 
Roland, Mackall, Martin, Hays, Irons, Clarke and Curd, followed 
at suitable intervals, covered by reserves to guard the pieces, and 
the whole operation, against the attack of cavalry that continually 
hovered on the left. 

Nothing could exceed the complicated character of the defences 
of the city passed by our troops as they advanced : heavy masonry 
walls crossed the streets in every direction, pierced with embrasures 
and defended by cross batteries. But the work went steadily on, 
the inhabitants retiring towards the eastern extremity of the city. 
The assault had hardly begun before the firing ceased in that di¬ 
rection. The strength of the place was a constant theme of re¬ 
mark and admiration. It seemed as if the defences could have 
held out against any number of troops, and that preparations had 
been made never to yield. But the possession of the commanding 
heights had paralyzed opposition, and no serious resistance was 
met with, until near the principal buildings about the main plaza. 
Here a raking fire opened from the barricades, and every further 
attempt to advance was met by showers of balls of every kind, and 
our troops were forced to seek the protection of the houses. Soon 
they broke into the buildings, got into the gardens, broke down 
walls, and finally appeared on the house-tops. Now, upon an 
equality with the enemy, the galling fire so long received was re¬ 
turned. The deadly effect was soon perceivable, in the retreat of 
the Mexicans, many of whom threw themselves, in the agony of 
death or in despair, headlong from the parapets to the streets below. 
Darkness began to set in, when it was discovered that the division 
was within a square of the main plaza, the Texians in the ad¬ 
vance, having been in the van all day, destroying the enemy with 
their unerring rifles, or filling them with terror by their war cry. 
Hostilities ceased, with the occupation of all the large buildings that 
towered over those about the plaza ; upon the roof of one of which 
were carried, with infinite labor, two howitzers and a six pounder, 
ready at a moment’s warning to throw down the walls that masked 




80 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


them from the enemy, and pour a continued fire into the solid 
masses of human beings that had been congregated in the great 
square of the city. 

Gen. Hamer’s brigade relieved that of Gen. Quitman in the 
forts “Tienaria” and “Diablo;” Capt. Webster’s howitzers re¬ 
lieved Capt. Ridgely in the former work. As soon as the how¬ 
itzers were in a situation to be used, the captain busied himself in 
ascertaining the range for his shells to do the most execution upon 
the plaza ; and the occasional reports of his pieces were heard 
during the night. 

Thus ended the memorable 23d, in the assault upon Monterey. 
The First and Second Divisions had penetrated about equal dis¬ 
tances towards its very centre, and needed but the morning light 
to have, by a simultaneous attack, come together as joint victors 
in the very heart of the Saragossa of our continent. 

About sunset, the ten-inch mortar under Major Munroe had 
been so advanced as to reach the main plaza. The distance was 
conjectural, and the few shells that were projected were for prac¬ 
tice. One of the shells, however, went hissing into the square, 
struck one of the wings of the splendid cathedral, rattling down 
the stone and mortar, then, glancing off, fell and bursted among a 
mass of human beings, blowing many into fragments, wounding 
others, killing horses, and turning all who witnessed its effects pale 
with terror. The interior of the building was filled, almost moun¬ 
tain high, with powder ! 

Gen. Ampudia, whose head-quarters were in the square, saw 
that his hour was approaching. His scouts had, throughout the 
day, constantly reported the progress of our troops towards the 
centre of the city. Another shell, more happily aimed, might 
enter the formidable magazine and hurl the building, with its 
desecrated altars, not only upon the soldiery, but also upon the 
heads of thousands of innocent women and children. The citi¬ 
zens were now in an ecstasy of sorrow. The refusal of Gen. 
Taylor to grant the request of the civil governor to let them 
depart, had recalled all the exaggerated stories of the cruelties of 
American troops, of the dreaded Texians, the “terrible volunta- 





PROPOSAL TO SURRENDER. 


81 


rios.” Gen. Ampudia himself was inspired with terror ; his cow¬ 
ardly spirit had quailed throughout the contest; and ere the 
cathedral clock had tolled forth the hour of nine, he had written 
and sealed, and given orders for the conveyance of a letter to 
Gen. Taylor, which he intended should precede the surrender of 
the city. 




82 


OUIi ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER XI. 

Morning of the 24th—Flag of truce—Letter accompanying it, and answer— 
Incidents of the day previous—Meeting of the chiefs—Their appearance— 
Deception on the part of the Mexican commissioners—Terms of the capitu¬ 
lation—Gen. Taylor—Final agreement. 

• 

Early on the morning of the 24th, the ripe preparations for 
the renewal of the assault were about to commence, when hosti¬ 
lities were arrested by a bugle, accompanying a flag of truce, ap¬ 
proaching the upper forts. The flag was accompanied by Col. 
Moreno, inspector general of the Mexican army, bearing a letter 
to the “General-in-chief” of the American forces. Col. Moreno 
was met at the fort Diablo, by Lieut. Col. Rogers, by whom he 
was conducted to Brig. Gen. Hamer’s head-quarters, Tienaria, 
where he was furnished with an escort to Gen. Taylor, then at 
the main camp, Saint Domingo Grove. All offensive operations 
were for the time arrested. Col. Moreno bore to Gen. Taylor the 
following: 

D. Pedro Jhnpudia , general-in-chief, to Major Gen. Taylor. 

[Translated.] 

Head-q.uarters at Monterey, 

Sept. 23, 1846, 9 o’clock, P. M. 

Senor General :—Having made the defence of which I be¬ 
lieve this city susceptible, I have fulfilled my duty, and have 
satisfied that military honor which, in a certain manner, is com¬ 
mon to all armies of the civilized world. 

To prosecute the defence, therefore, would only result in dis¬ 
tress to the population who have already suffered enough from the 
misfortune consequent on war; and taking it for granted that the 
American government has manifested a disposition to negotiate, I 
propose to you, to evacuate the city and its fort, taking with me 



83 


FLAG OF TRUCE. 

the personelle and materielle which have remained, and under the 
assurance that no harm shall ensue to the inhabitants who have 
taken a part in the defence. 

Be pleased to accept the assurance of my most distinguished 
consideration. PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

To Senor Don Z. Taylor, 

General-in-chief of the American Army . 

Gen. Taylor received the above, a little before 7 o’clock, and 
immediately expressed himself unwilling to accede to Gen. Am- 
pudia’s wishes, returning for his answer the following denial: 

HEAD-at)AHTEns, Army of Occupation, 

Camp before Monterey, Sept. 24, 1846, 7 o'clock , A. M. 

Sir :—Your communication, bearing date at 9 o’clock, P. M., 
on the 23d instant, has just been received by the hands of Col. 
Moreno. 

In answer to your proposition to evacuate the city and fort, 
with all the personel and materiel of war, I have to state that my 
duty compels me to decline acceding to it. A complete surrender 
of the town and garrison, the latter as prisoners of war, is now 
demanded. But such surrender will be upon terms, and the gal¬ 
lant defence of the place, creditable alike to the Mexican troops 
and nation, will prompt me to make those terms as liberal as pos¬ 
sible. The garrison will be allowed, at your option, after laying 
down its arms, to retire to the interior on condition of not serving 
again during the war, or until regularly exchanged. I need 
hardly say that the rights of non-combatants will be respected. 

An answer to this communication is required by 12 o’clock. 
If you assent to an accommodation, an officer will be despatched 
at once, under instructions to arrange the conditions. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. S. A. Commanding. 

Senor D. Pedro Ampudia, 

General-in-chief Monterey. 



84 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


The prospect of the surrender of the city without further fight¬ 
ing gave universal satisfaction. On the morning of the day pre¬ 
vious, a report had got out, that a large body of our troops were 
rapidly advancing as a reinforcement; this spread from company 
to company and from man to man, and w r as received w r ith the 
liveliest marks of joy. On the evening still previous, soon after 
the Bishop’s palace was taken, the guns of the citadel suspended 
firing, and a report ensued that a white flag was flying upon its 
walls. Late in the afternoon, many officers, from Gen. Taylor 
down, with hundreds of soldiers and camp followers,.were scat¬ 
tered over the plain to see if the report w r ere correct. The wind 
scarce breathed, the tri-color hugged to its staff, and the red and 
blue could not be distinguished except through a glass, while the 
white relieved tolerably clear against the dark blue 'mountains in 
the back ground. The Texan regiment coming in from their 
scout, while the stragglers, perhaps a thousand strong, were thus 
engaged, joined in the curious crowd, when, suddenly, three 
light clouds of smoke whiffed up from the citadel, a whizzing 
sound of balls w r as heard over head, and ere the reports reached 
the ears of the curious multitude, it was scattering in every direc¬ 
tion. A second discharge of a greater number of pieces accele¬ 
rated the motions of all. Gen. Taylor, as a twelve pounder 
passed directly over the group around him, quietly remarked, it 
was as well to gain a less exposed situation, and trotted off. 

Gen. Ampudia received Gen. Taylor’s letter with any other 
feelings than those of pleasure. The current of events was set¬ 
ting in a different channel from what he had anticipated. A 
few days previously, he had ridden among the fortifications of 
Monterey, and viewed them exultingly from the heights of the 
Bishop’s palace, and felt that, ’beneath them, the little army of 
Americans approaching would be annihilated ; now, the stars and 
stripes already waved at the east and w r est, and its defenders w T ere 
fast winning their way where they could plant them over the 
great square of the city; he could defer that hour, perhaps, but 
he felt he could not stay its approach. Trusting to accomplish 
by duplicity, what he could not by honorable means; long before 



85 


MEETING OF THE CHIEFS. 

the hour of twelve, he sought an interview with Gen. Taylor, 
which was granted. 

The chiefs met; the contrast was characteristic not only of the 
men hut of the governments. Gen. Ampudia, who is a large fleshy 
man, and his attendants were dressed in barbaric splendor. 
Upon green coats and red pantalpons were profuse and intricate 
traceries of gold embroidery ; upon the shoulders trembled the 
pendent fringe of huge epaulettes ; and upon the breasts of nearly 
all dangled the gew-gaws of medals and parti-colored ribands. 
Ampudia was exceedingly polite, verbose, and often grandilo¬ 
quent. He added to his command of language the most profuse 
gesticulation; his nervous eye, however, denied the pleasure ex¬ 
pressed by his tongue, and betrayed that he felt not the confidence 
and ease he so glibly expressed. 

Gen. Ampudia opened the meeting by stating that his forces 
were too large to be conquered by Gen. Taylor’s army; he 
claimed to hold the citadel, the strongest position in Monterey; 
that he had a powerful artillery, a strong force of cavalry and 
infantry, with the best artillerists in the world; he represented that 
his loss was small, and that he could, in spite of all appearances, 
hold the city. He put his willingness to capitulate on the ground 
of a wish to spare a farther effusion of blood; of feelings of hu¬ 
manity towards the inhabitants of the city; for their sake he was 
willing to compromise the honor of the magnanimous Mexican 
nation, provided he was permitted to evacuate with all his forces ; 
take all the public stores, together with the arms and munitions 
of w T ar; concluding with a great deal of the bombast so particu¬ 
larly distinguishable in his despatches and proclamations. 

Gen. Taylor listened ; replied bluntly and to the point; refused 
the terms proposed in a direct manner, and insisted upon naming 
them himself, remarking, among other strong expressions, “that 
he felt that he had the city in his hand.” 

Gen. Ampudia, as a last reason urged for receiving lenient 
terms, stated that he had received official information from Mex¬ 
ico, that the offer of peace from the President of the United 
States to his government had been accepted ; and he enlarged 
H. 


86 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


upon the bad effect the exaction of rigorous or humiliating terms 
might have upon the feelings of the Mexican executive and 
people. This last reason weighed much with Gen. Taylor; he 
abated considerably from his first named terms, but no agreement 
could be made; and the conference was really broken off by Gen. 
Taylor, when Don M. Llano, the governor of the department of 
New Leon, proposed the appointment of a commission of three 
from each side, to arrange terms. This proposition, after some 
hesitation, was consented to by Gen. Taylor, and the following com¬ 
missioners were named : on the American side, Brig. Gen. Worth, 
U. S. A., Gen. Henderson, of Texas, and Col. J. Davis, of the 
First Mississippi Volunteers ; on the Mexican side, Gens. Ortega 
and Requena, and the governor of New Leon. 

Gen. Taylor gave his instructions to his commissioners in a 
brief manner, and verbally; from which instructions the Ameri¬ 
can commissioners prepared the following conditions, or demands 
upon the Mexican forces. 

1. As a legitimate result of the operations before this place, 
and the present position of the contending armies, we demand the 
surrender of the town, the arms and munitions of war, and all 
other public property within the place. 

2. That the Mexican armed force retire beyond the Riconada, 
Linares, and San Fernando, on the coast. 

3. The commanding general of the army of the United States 
agrees, that the Mexican officers reserve their side-arms and pri¬ 
vate baggage ; and the troops be allowed to retire under their 
officers and without parol, a reasonable time being allowed to 
withdraw the forces. 

4. The immediate delivery of the main work, now occupied, 
to the army of the United States. 

5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, that the 
troops of the United States shall not occupy the town until the 
Mexican forces are withdrawn, except for hospital purposes, store¬ 
houses, &c. 

6. The commanding general of the United States agrees, not 
to advance beyond the line specified in the second section, before 



TERMS OF CAPITULATION. 


87 


j 

the expiration of eight weeks, or until the respective governments 
can be heard from. 

The terms of the demand were refused by the Mexican com¬ 
missioners, and they drew up a counter proposition, in which it 
was demanded that the enemy should retire with their arms. This 
was urged as a matter of soldierly pride, and as only an ordinary 
courtesy. The American commissioners felt unauthorized to grant 
such a privilege, and reported to General Taylor the disagreement. 
Upon Gen. Ampudia’s learning that the commissioners could not 
agree, he entered at length upon the question, treating the point 
of disagreement as one that involved the honor of his country. He 
again spoke of his desire to avoid the further shedding of blood, 
consenting to surrender the artillery which he had in the city 
Gen. Taylor responded to the wish to avoid unnecessary blood¬ 
shed. It was agreed that the commission should re-assemble, with 
instructions to concede the small arms, it being understood there 
would be no question raised as to the abandonment of the artillery. 
The Mexicans, however, were still importunate, and urged that 
the artillery should not alone be unrepresented with their arm of 
service, and they stated that they had a battery of light artillery, 
manoeuvred and equipped as such. The American commissioners 
again rose and announced the disagreement on the subject of the 
artillery. 

General Taylor, upon learning that more was demanded than 
the middle ground justified, which he had in the spirit of generosity 
accepted, rose from his seat and announced the conference at an end, 
and showed by his manner that he intended to talk no more. As 
he was leaving the room, one of the Mexican commissioners ad¬ 
dressed him. In the detention of the moment Gen. Worth asked 
permission to speak to Gen. Ampudia. The result was the com¬ 
mission again assembled, and the terms of capitulation were agreed 
upon. A short recess was taken previous to the final arrange¬ 
ment. The American commissioners, promptly, as agreed, as¬ 
sembled ; but the Mexican commissioners were tardy in arriving, 
and slow in executing the instrument of capitulation. The seventh, 
eighth, and ninth articles were added during this session. At a 



88 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


late hour, the English original was handed to Gen. Taylor for his 
examination ; the Spanish original having been sent to Gen. Ara- 
pudia. Gen. Taylor signed and delivered, to Col. Davis, the in¬ 
strument as it was submitted to him ; Col. Davis returned to the 
conference room to receive the Spanish original with Gen. Ampu- 
dia’s signature, that they might be respectively countersigned, the 
originals to be retained by the parties originating them. 

Gen. Ampudia did not sign the Spanish instrument, as was 
expected, but came himself to meet the commissioners. He raised 
many points that had been previously discussed and settled ; and 
showed a disposition to have the copy of the Spanish capitulation 
very different from the English one. Gen. Worth was absent. 
He, Gen. Ampudia, was finally required to sign the instrument 
prepared for his own commissioners, and the English original 
was left with him, that he might have it translated, (which he 
promised to do that night,) and be ready the next morning with 
a Spanish duplicate of the English instrument left with him. By 
this means the two instruments would have been made to corre¬ 
spond, and Gen. Ampudia be compelled to admit his knowledge of 
its contents before he signed it. Late that night a heavy tramp of 
horsemen was heard coming out of the city, and winding towards 
“ head-quarters.” It was Mexican cavalry escorting Gen. Taylor 
to his tent. The treaty had been completed, and Monterey had 
surrendered. 




WORDING OF THE TERMS. 


89 


CHAPTER XII. 

Morning of the 25th—Difficulties of wording of the terms of capitulation—Its 
consummation—Effects on the citizens—Surrender of the Citadel—Appearance 
of the enemy—Description of the Citadel—Interior of the city—The Monte- 
reyans—Marching out of the Mexican troops—Ampudia’s departure. 

On the morning of the 25th, the commissioners again met; and 
again the attempt was made, on the part of the Mexican commis¬ 
sioners? to gain by extraordinary solicitation some favorable additions 
to this compact. Already had the American commissioners adopted 
the word capitulation in lieu of surrender ; the effort was now 
made to have the word stipulation used instead of capitulation. 
It finally became necessary to make a peremptory demand for the 
immediate signing of the English instrument by Gen. Ampudia, 
and the literal translation (now perfected) by the commissioners 
and their general. The Spanish instrument, first signed by Gen. 


Memoranda of the transactions in connection ivith the Capitulation of Monterey , 

capital of Neuva Leon , Mexico. 

By invitation of Gen. Ampudia, commanding the Mexican army, Gen. Taylor, 
accompanied by a number of his officers, proceeded on the 24th of September, 1846, 
to a house designated as the place at which Gen. Ampudia requested an interview. 
The party being convened, Gen. Ampudia announced, as official information, 
that commissioners from the United States had been received by the government 
of Mexico; and that the orders under which he had prepared to defend the city 
of Monterey, had lost their force by the subsequent change of his own govern¬ 
ment. A brief conversation between the commanding generals showed their 
views to be so opposite as to leave little reason to expect an amicable arrangement 
between them. 

Gen. Taylor said he would not delay to receive such propositions as Gen. 
Ampudia indicated. One of Gen. Ampudia’s party, I think the governor of the 
city, suggested the appointment of a mixed commission ; this was acceded to, 
and Gen. W. J. Worth, of the United States army, Gen. J. Pinkney Henderson, 
of the Texan volunteers, and Col. Jefferson Davis, of the Mississippi riflemen, on 
the part of Gen. Taylor, and Gen. J. Ma Ortega, Gen. P. Requena and Senor, 
the governor, M. Ma Llano, on the part of Gen. Ampudia, were appointed. 

Gen. Taylor gave instructions to his commissioners, which, as understood, for 
they were brief and verbal, will be best shown by a copy of the demand which 
H 2 






90 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Ampudia, was destroyed in presence of his commissioners. The 
translation of our own instrument was countersigned by Gen. 
Taylor, and delivered. The agreement was complete, and it only 
remained to execute the terms. 

The humbler citizens of the city, without waiting for the official 
announcement of the capitulation, abandoned themselves to lively 
demonstrations of joy at the event. They flocked in numbers to 
the quarters of our soldiers, distributing oranges, apples, pome¬ 
granates, dried figs, corn and wheat bread; all of which were most 
eagerly purchased by our half-starved troops, who, the excitement 
of war being somewhat past, had time to attend to appetites 
sharpened by two days’ hunger, and increased by hard labor and 
the greatest exposure to the elements. 

The hour for the fulfilment, on the part of the Mexicans, of the 
first article of the capitulation soon arrived. Gen. Taylor intrusted 
the duty of seeing it performed to Gen. Worth, who appointed two 
companies of each regiment in his division, with one section of 
each battery, under the immediate superintendence of Col. P. F. 
Smith, to take possession of the citadel. Gen. Taylor and most of 
the distinguished officers of the army, graced the interesting cere- 

the United States commissioners prepared in the conference room here incor¬ 
porated. 

Copy of demand by the United States commissioners. 

1. As the legitimate result of the operations before this place, and the present 
position of the contending armies, we demand the surrender of the town, the 
arms and munitions of war, and all other public property within the place. 

2. That the Mexican armed force retire beyond the Rinconada, Linares and 
San Fernando on the coast. 

3. The commanding general of the army of the United States agrees that the 
Mexican officers reserve their side-arms and private baggage; and the troops be 
allowed to retire under their officers and without parole, a reasonable time being 
allowed to withdraw the forces. 

4. The immediate delivery of the main work, now occupied, to the army of the 
United States. 

5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, that the troops of the United 
States shall not occupy the town until the Mexican forces have been withdrawn, 
except for hospital purposes, storehouses, etc. 

The terms of the demand were refused by the Mexican commissioners, who 
drew up a counter proposition of which I only recollect that it contained a permis¬ 
sion to the Mexican forces to retire with their arms. This was urged as a mat¬ 
ter of soldierly pride, and as an ordinary courtesy. We had reached the limit 
of our instructions, and the commission rose to report the disagreement. 






SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL. 


91 


mony by their presence. On one side of the road leading to the 
citadel, stood the greater portion of the Texan volunteers, and op¬ 
posite to them that portion of the regular army that was to occupy 
the citadel. The tri-colored flag of Mexico fell from its high 
estate and disappeared from over the walls where it had so long 
waved. The Mexicans employed the moment in sounding their 
last shrill bugle notes, and disturbing the air with the cannon’s roar. 
In an instant the stars and stripes ascended to the breeze, and un¬ 
folded amidst the united cheers of thousands of hearty voices. It 
was now that thundering cannon opened their mouths again in 
exultation, and they seemed, though Mexican, to speak louder and 
fiercer, as they woke up the echoes among the mountains; while 
from every fort and height, the stars and stripes multiplied, and 
the booming cannon answered back, mingling ten thousand echoes 
into one, while the powerful strains of martial music dashed in with 
its well-timed cadence, altogether forming a sublime whole seldom 
witnessed even in the imposing circumstance of war. The enemy, 
with evident humiliation, with dejected look and faltering step, 
abandoned their stronghold ; upon many were marked the look 
of bitterness, upon some that of sorrow, while from the dark red 


Upon returning to the reception room, after the fact had been announced that 
the commissioners could not agree upon terms, Gen. Ampudia entered at length 
upon the question, treating the point of disagreement as one which involved the 
honor of his country, spoke of his desire for a settlement without further blood¬ 
shed, and said he did not care about the pieces of artillery which he had at the 
place. Gen. Taylor responded to the wish to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. It 
was agreed that the commission should re-assemble, and we were instructed to 
concede the small arms ; and I supposed there would be no question about the 
artillery. The Mexican commissioners now urged that, as all other arms had 
been recognised, it would be discreditable to the artillery if required to march out 
without any thing to represent their arm, and stated, in answer to an inquiry, that 
they had a battery of light artillery, manoeuvred and equipped as such. The 
commission again rose and reported the disagreement on the point of artillery. 

Gen. Taylor, hearing that more was demanded than the middle ground upon 
which, in a spirit of generosity, he had agreed to place the capitulation, announced 
the conference at an end, and rose in a manner which showed his determination 
to talk no more. As he crossed the room to leave it, one of the Mexican com¬ 
missioners addressed him, and some conversation which I did not hear, ensued 
Gen. Worth asked permission of Gen. Taylor, and addressed some'remarks to 
Gen. Ampudia, the spirit of which was that which he manifested throughout the 
negotiation, viz.: generosity and leniency, and a desire to spare the further effusion 




92 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


'eyes of Aztec blood flashed deep yearnings of revenge. The 
noise of the artillery sustained them in their march. It was well 
conceived that their situation should not alone attract the mind. 
Our artillery and infantry soon displayed and marched within the 
strong Avails of the citadel. In the tumult \A r as heard the shrill 
notes of Yankee doodle, in which fife and drum seemed to laugh 
and carol, and sport the familiar notes, until sturdy war-worn breasts 
heaved with emotion, and the tear fell amidst thoughts of home and 
American glory. 

A casual glance at the citadel exhibited it as a place of immense 
strength as a military fortification. The walls were o\ r er eight 
feet high, and of the most unusual thickness, being perfectly in¬ 
vulnerable, except from the very heaviest metal. The interior was 
made still stronger, by being occupied by the bases of the powerful 
pillars of an intended cathedral of immense size. Around the 
Avhole, AA r as thrown a ditch of unusual width and depth. That the 
fort could have been carried by storm by our troops, no one Avho 
saw it had a doubt, but it would have been at a sacrifice of life 
(aside from consulting the claims of humanity) that could not have 
been made by the force under Gen. Taylor at the time, if it 


of blood. The commission re-assembled, and the points of capitulation were 
agreed upon. After a short recess, we again repaired to the room in which we 
had parted from the Mexican commissioners; they were tardy in joining us, and 
slow in executing the instrument of capitulation. The 7th, 8lh, and 9th articles 
were added during this session. At a late hour, the English original was handed 
to Gen. Taylor for his examination ; the Spanish original having been sent to 
Gen. Ampudia. Gen. Taylor signed and delivered to me the instrument as it was 
submitted to him, and I returned to receive the Spanish copy with the signature 
of Gen. Ampudia, and send that having Gen. Taylor’s signature, that each 
general might countersign the original to be retained by the other. Gen. Ampu¬ 
dia did not sign the instrument, as was expected, but came himself to meet the 
commissioners. He raised many points which had been settled, and evinced a dispo¬ 
sition to make the Spanish differ in essential points from the English instrument. 
Gen. Worth was absent. Finally, he was required to sign the instrument pre¬ 
pared for his own commissioners, and the English original was left with him that 
he might have it translated, (which he promised that night,) and be ready the 
next morning with a Spanish duplicate of the English instrument left with him. 
By this means the two instruments would be made to correspond, and he be com¬ 
pelled to admit his own knowledge of the contents of the English original before 
he signed it. 

The next morning the commission again met; again the attempt was made, as 





INTERIOR OF THE CITY. 


93 


•could possibly have been avoided without compromising the honor 
of our arms. 

Although the interior of the city was to be in the possession of 
the Mexicans until they could move off their forces, many of our 
officers rode through the streets as far as the plaza. Upon the 
buildings were everywhere marked evidence of the severe contest 
that preceded the surrender, and it was with emotions of dread, 
that pools of clotted blood or stained gory walls were looked upon 
in other moments than those of the heat of battle. A few of the 
better class of citizens seemed as if they tried to deport themselves 
as if pleased, but, as a whole, they bore the evidence of mourning. 

Many of the wealthy wore crape upon their heads, the ladies 
seemed nuns, threading through the streets where dwelt some pes¬ 
tilence. The soldiers of both armies met, but saluted constrainedly, 
though courteously. Ill-repressed smiles of triumph lit up the 
faces of many of our weather-beaten soldiers, that contrasted 
strangely with the dark, swarthy and sorrow-furrowed faces of the 
Mexicans. Citizens in many cases were hurrying to and fro, 
some busy in restoring order to their domicils, others packing up 
their movables as if in haste to depart. All was sad, and why 


had often been done before, by solicitation, to gain some grant in addition to the 
compact. Thus we had, at their request, adopted the word capitulation in lieu 
of surrender —they now wished to substitute stipulation for capitulation. It finally 
became necessary to make a peremptory demand for the immediate signing of the 
English instrument by Gen. Ampudia, and the literal translation (now perfected) 
by the commissioners and their general. The Spanish instrument first signed by 
Gen. Ampudia was destroyed in presence of his commissioners; the translation 
of our own instrument was countersigned by Gen. Taylor and delivered. The 
agreement was complete, and it only remained to execute the terms. 

Much has been said about the construction of article 2 of the capitulation, a 
copy of which is hereto appended. Whatever ambiguity there may be in the 
language used, there was a perfect understanding by the commissioners upon both 
sides as to the intent of the parties. The distinction we made between light 
artillery equipped and manoeuvred as such, designed for and used in the field, and 
pieces being the armament of a fort, was clearly stated on our side; and that ii 
was comprehended on theirs, appeared in the fact that repeatedly they asserted 
their possession of light artillery, and said they had one battery of light pieces. 
Such conformity of opinion existed among our commissioners upon every measure 
which was finally adopted, that I consider them, in their sphere, jointly and 
severally responsible for each and every article of the capitulation. If, as originally 
viewed by General Worth, our conduct has been in accordance with the peaceful 



94 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


should it not have been so? The result of the contest was so un- H 
expected. The people felt secure under any and all circumstances. 
Defeats of armies under the walls of Monterey were proverbial in 
their history, and it was believed that the little army of Gen. Tay¬ 
lor would be wasted in the attempt, even to invest the place. On 
the preceding Monday night, the people of Monterey had in many 
instances illuminated their houses; fire-works and rockets enlivened 
the darkness of the streets, and Gen. Ampudia, in the ecstasy of 
his delusive strength, even went so far as to issue orders for fifteen 
hundred cavalry, to go to the rear of our army and cut off its re¬ 
treat ; now all was changed, and despair brooded over the Mon- 
tereyans. 

The three days following the occupation by our troops of the 
citadel, were busily employed by the Mexicans in leaving Monterey. 
The immense numbers that continually threaded the streets, was a 
subject of universal remark, and taken in connection with the 
strength of the fortifications which they had deserted, made it in¬ 
comprehensible that the city should have been yielded to our 
possession. 

The First Division marched out on the 26th, the Second on the 


policy of our government, and shall in any degree tend to consummate that policy, 
we may congratulate ourselves upon the part we have taken. If otherwise, it 
will remain to me, as deliberate opinion, that the terms of the capitulation gave 
all which could have followed, of desirable result, from a further assault. It was 
in the power of the enemy to retreat, and to bear with him his small arms, and 
such a battery as was contemplated in the capitulation.—The other grants were 
such as it was honorable in a conquering army to bestow, and which it cost mag¬ 
nanimity nothing to give. 

The above regulations are submitted to Gens. Henderson and Worth for correc¬ 
tion and addition, that the misrepresentation of this transaction may be prevented 
by a statement made whilst the events are recent and the memory fresh. 

JEFFERSON DAVIS, 
Colonel Mississippi Riflemen. 

Camp near Monteiiey, Oct. 7, 1846. 

The above is a correct statement of the leading facts connected with the trans¬ 
actions referred to, according to my recollection. It is, however, proper that I 
should further state that my first impression was that no better terms than those 
first proposed, on the part of Gen. Taylor, ought to have been given, and I so said 
to Gen. Taylor when I found him disposed to yield to the request of.Gen. Ampu¬ 
dia : and, at the same time, gave it as my opinion that they would be accepted by 



THE MEXICAN ARMY. 


95 


27th, and on the succeeding day the remainder. Each division 
appeared to number between two and three thousand men, most 
efficiently armed and equipped. A large force of cavalry had been 
known to leave the city in small detachments, while it was evidently 
true, that all the citizens capable of bearing arms, out of a popu¬ 
lation of fifteen thousand souls, added to the strengthening of the 
defences of Monterey. 

Gen. Ampudia rode out at the head of the Second Division ; he 
was accompanied by Col. Bailie Peyton, volunteer aid to Gen. 
Worth in the storming of the heights; Major Scott of the Fifth 
Infantry, Lieuts. Deas, Hanson, Robinson, and McLaws, riding in 
with the commander of the division. The Mexicans, as a mass, 
appeared to look upon the whole affair as an ordinary occurrence 
in their history. The soldiers, four abreast, including the 
three pieces of artillery, made a line nearly a mile in length. 
In the rear followed the strangest medley of hangers-on of a camp, 
that ever met the eye. Youth and age, beauty and ugliness, donkeys 
and dogs, rags and finery, all mingled together in strange confu¬ 
sion, and told a volume against the discipline of a Mexican army. 


him before we left the town. Gen. Taylor replied that he would run no risk 
where it could be avoided ; that he wished to avoid the further shedding of blood; 
and that he was satisfied that our government would be pleased with the terms 
given by the capitulation; and being myself persuaded of that fact, I yielded my 
individual views and wishes, and under that conviction I shall ever be ready to 
defend the terms of the capitulation. 

J. PINKNEY HENDERSON, 

Major Gen., commanding the Texas Volunteers. 

I not only counselled and advised, the opportunity being offered the general-in¬ 
chief, the first proposition, but cordially assented and approved the decision tak^n 
by Gen. Taylor in respect to the latter, as did every member of the commission, 
and for good and sufficient military and national reasons, and stand ready, at all 
times and proper places, to defend and sustain the action of the commanding 
general and participation of the commissioners. Knowing that malignants, the 
tremor being off, are at work to discredit and misrepresent the case, (as I had an¬ 
ticipated,) I feel obliged to Col. Davis for having thrown together the materials 
and facts. 

W. J. WORTH, 

Brig. Gen. commanding Second Division. 


Monterey, Oct. 12, 1846. 




96 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Some regiments were composed of fine-looking men, particularly 
those from the mountainous districts—the troops from the sea-hoard 
being degenerated and less unmixed in blood than those from the 
interior. The private soldier of the Mexican army, at best, how¬ 
ever, is a degraded being—a strange representation of different 
races, where the evil qualities of each particular one is alone re¬ 
tained. 

The mestizos or half-breeds w r ere most numerous, with their 
mysterious eye, aboriginal hair, and Spanish gait. The pure In¬ 
dian appears constrainedly in the equipments of civilized warfare. 
African blood maintained a strange equality with the other races. 
Of these crude materials seemed to be composed the Mexican army. 
The officers, as a general thing, on the contrary, were men of in¬ 
telligent appearance, often of fine bearing, and all immeasurably 
above the beings they commanded. In them were seen the creoles 
of the country, of Castilian origin. Between nine and ten thou¬ 
sand soldiers of every kind left Monterey, after the capitulation, 
and pursued their way towards Saltillo. 

The moment the time set for their departure had passed, the 


Terms of the Capitulation of the City of Monterey, the capital of Neuva Leon , 
agreed upon by the undersigned commissioners, to wit: Gen. Worth of the U. 
S. A.; Gen. Henderson, of the Texan volunteers ; and Col. Davis, of the Mis¬ 
sissippi Riflemen, on the part of Major Gen. Taylor, commanding in chief the 
United States forces; and Gen. Requena and Gen. Ortego, of the Army of 
Mexico, and Senor Manuel M. Llano, Governor of Nucva Leon, on the part of 
Senor Gen. Don Pedro Ampudia, commanding in chief the Army of the North 
of Mexico. 

Article 1. As the legitimate result of the operation before the place, and the 
present position of the contending armies, it is agreed that the city, the fortifica¬ 
tions, cannon, the munitions of war, and all other public property, with the under¬ 
mentioned exceptions, be surrendered to the commanding general of the United 
States forces now at Monterey. 

Art. 2. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain the following arms, to 
wit: The commissioned officers their side arms; the infantry their arms and ac¬ 
coutrements ; the cavalry their arms and accoutrements ; the artillery, one field 
battery, not to exceed six pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammunition. 

Art. 3. That the Mexican armed force retire within seven days from this date 
beyond the line formed by the pass of the Rinconada, the city of Linares, and 
San Fernando de Pusos. 

Art. 4. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the Mexican and oc¬ 
cupied by the American forces to-morrow morning, at 10 o’clock. 


i 



97 


MONTEREY AFTER THE BATTLE. 

streets were filled with the curious of our army, who wished* to 
witness the sights presented at so much cost. Gen. Worth took 
possession as governor of Monterey, and established his head¬ 
quarters in the main plaza. Every thing soon settled into the dull 
routine of camp life, and in the hospitals or at the grave were alone 
enacted scenes that stirred up the heart or excited thrilling emo¬ 
tions. 

Art. 5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, that the troops of the 
United States will not occupy the city until the Mexican forces have withdrawn, 
except for hospital and storage purposes. 

Art. 6. That the forces of the United States will not advance beyond the line 
specified in the third article before the expiration of eight weeks, or until the 
orders of the respective governments can be received. 

Art. 7. That the public property to be delivered shall be turned over and re¬ 
ceived by officers appointed by the commanding generals of the two armies. 

Art. 8. That all doubts, as to the meaning of any of the preceding articles, 
shall be solved by an equitable construction, and on principles of liberality to the 
retiring army. 

Art. 9. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, may be saluted by 
its own battery. 

W. J. WORTH, 

Brig. Gen. U. S. A. 

J. PINKNEY HENDERSON, 

Major Gen. commanding Texan Volunteers. 

JEFFERSON DAVIS, 

Col. Mississippi Riflemen. 

J. M. ORTEGA, 

T. REQUENA, 

MANUEL M. LLANO 

Approved: 

PEDRO AMPUDIA. 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. S. A. o mmanding. 

Dated at Monterey, Sept. 25, 1846. 


I 


7 



96 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

The capitulation of Monterey—Opinion of one of the commissioners thereon— 
Apparent difference in the assaults upon the city—Defences of the eastern 
end—Defences of the western end—Gen. Worth’s position—Difficulties under 
' which Col. Garland labored—Obstinacy of the defence of the eastern end of 
the city—Mexican anticipations of an assault—Historical reminiscences sug¬ 
gested. 

The capitulation of Monterey has been a subject of great dis¬ 
cussion ; able articles have been written in censure and in defence, 
and political feeling, with which the historian should have no sym¬ 
pathy, has entered into the controversy. In concluding the chap¬ 
ters that immediately relate to Monterey, we give, as a part of the 
history of that event, the explanation of the reasons of the capitu¬ 
lation, written by one of the commissioners.* 

“As one of the commissioners who were intrusted, by Gen. 
Taylor, with the arrangement of the terms upon which the city 
of Monterey and its fortifications should be delivered to our forces, 
I have had frequent occasion to recur to the course then adopted, 
and the considerations which led to it. My judgment after the 
fact has fully sustained my decisions at the date of the occurrence, 
and feeling myself responsible for the instrument, as we prepared 
and presented it to our commanding general, I have the satisfac¬ 
tion, after all subsequent events, to believe that the terms we 
offered were expedient, and honorable, and wise. 

“ The instructions given by Gen. Taylor only presented his ob¬ 
ject and fixed a limit to the powers of his commissioners; hence, 
when points were raised which exceeded our discretion, they 
were referred to the commander; but minor points were acted on, 
and finally submitted, as a part of our negotiation. We fixed the 


* Col. Jefferson Davis. 



COL. DAVIS’S OPINION. 


99 


time within which the Mexican forces should retire from Monte¬ 
rey ; we agreed upon the time we would wait for the decisions of 
the respective governments, which I recollect was less, by thirty- 
four days, than the Mexican commissioners asked—the period 
adopted being that which, according to our estimate, was required 
to bring up the rear of our army, with the ordnance and supplies 
for further operations. 

“ I did not then, nor do I now, believe we could have made the 
enemy surrender at discretion. Had I entertained the opinion, 
it would have been given to the commission and to the command¬ 
ing general, and would have precluded me from signing an agree¬ 
ment which permitted the garrison to retire with the honors of war. 
It is demonstrable, from the position and renowned prowess of the 
two armies, that we could drive the enemy from the town ; but the 
town was untenable whilst the main fort (called the new citadel) 
remained in the hands of the enemy. Being without siege 
artillery or intrenching tools, we could only hope to carry this fort 
by storm, after a heavy loss from our army, which, isolated in a 
hostile country, now numbered less than half the forces of the 
enemy. When all this had been achieved, what more would we 
have gained than by the capitulation ? 

il Gen. Taylor’s force was too small to invest the town ; it was, 
therefore, always in the power of the enemy to retreat, bearing his 
light arms. Our arm)'', poorly provided and with very insufficient 
transportation, could not have overtaken, if they had pursued the 
flying enemy. Hence the conclusion, that, as it was not in our 
power to capture the main body of the Mexican army, it is un¬ 
reasonable to suppose their general would have surrendered at 
discretion. The moral effect of retiring under the capitulation 
was certainly greater than if the enemy had retreated without our 
consent. By this course we secured a large supply of ammuni¬ 
tion he had collected in Monterey, which, had the assault been 
continued, must have been exploded by our shells, as it was prin¬ 
cipally stored in the cathedral, which, being supposed to be filled 
with troops, was the especial aim of our pieces. The destruction 
which this explosion would have produced, must have involved 



100 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


the advance of both divisions of our troops ; and I commend this 
to the contemplation of those whose arguments have been drawn 
from facts learned since the commissioners closed their negotiations. 

“ To justify the commanding general, should misrepresentation 
and calumny attempt to tarnish his well-earned reputation, and for 
all time to come to fix the truth of the transaction, see Gen. Tay¬ 
lor’s letters,” in correspondence, at the end of this volume. 

There was a singular inconsistency in the defence of the city 
of Monterey, which has been the subject of much remark, and 
probably, unintentional misconstruction. Allusion is made to the 
different character of the battle at the two extremities of the city. 
At the west end, the general commanding seems to have carried 
his intentions out with a celerity that involuntarily excites un¬ 
bounded admiration. One stronghold after another fell with order 
and precision; the loss of life trifling; the results brilliant. At 
the east end of the city, the First and Volunteer Divisions made 
their way under continued obstacles ; repulse succeeded repulse ; 
every advantage was gained and accomplished at great labor 
and cost; and the mind is insensibly led to misunderstand the 
relations of the commanders, and the character of the circum¬ 
stances with which they were surrounded. A hasty sketch of the 
defences of the city is, perhaps, necessary, as a preliminary to our 
remarks. 

Without alluding to the natural advantages for the defence of 
Monterey, we find that the artificial ones were quite equal in 
magnitude. Along the bank of the San Juan, on the east side of 
the city, besides a loop-holed wall, there was erected a series of 
forts along the whole line, upon the north-eastern angle of which 
was a redoubt of masonry, of four faces, overlooked by a large 
s stone house, prepared with sand-bags and loop-holes, for infantry. 
In the rear of this, was a strong redoubt of four faces, mounting 
three guns; farther on, another of masonry, mounting the same 
number of pieces, and commanding the approaches from Cada- 
reyta ; beyond, still, was another fort of three guns, overlooked 
and commanded by a strong stone building prepared with loop¬ 
holes and sand-bags. Such were the defences looking eastward. 


THE EAST AND WEST DEFENCES. 


101 


On the north was a series of breastworks and forts, running from 
the east until they reached the head of the bridge,—one of the 
principal entrances to Monterey. Forts, of three guns each, com¬ 
manded the extremities of the line, while, over the bridge, another 
strong battery completely commanding it, poured upon the invader. 
The houses in the vicinity, from their peculiar construction, offered 
the best possible means of offence and defence,—the parapets upon 
them being all loop-holed ; while barricades of solid masonry, often 
twelve feet thick, with embrasures for guns, filled up the streets, 
and faced in every direction. 

The citadel next came in the line of defence, facing north ; it 
was of immense strength, and of large size. The citadel was only 
partially mounted. The walls had four bastioned fronts, and were 
prepared for thirty guns. 

All these works, except, perhaps, the one in the rear of the fort 
commanding the Cadareyta road, were more or less used upon our 
forces, most of them firing at the same time, as in the first day’s 
assault, when Fort No. 1, “Diablo,” the buildings in their vicinity, 
the barricades leading to the tete du pont , and the citadel, were 
unitedly engaged. 

On the west end of the city was the strong work, the Bishop’s 
palace, mounting four guns ; and the height above it was defended 
by two pieces. On the hill opposite was the first fort assailed, 
mounting one gun ; the second work, on the same ridge, mounted 
two. All these works were strongly manned by infantry, which 
seemed to be most depended on for defence. The western end of 
the city was also strongly barricaded, and the cemetery fortified ; 
but these works were mostly abandoned, as soon as Duncan opened 
his battery from under the walls of the Bishop’s palace. 

On the evening of the 23d, Gen. Worth’s Division was hotly 
engaged, as it approached the Plaza, when the fight assumed the 
sanguinary character of that of the eastern side of the city. 

Gen. Worth, whose military reputation forms one of the most 
brilliant pages in our national history, was fortunate in the cha¬ 
racter of the duties assigned him. He was the admiration of the 
army by his coolness and judgment, by the instant conception of 

i 2 


102 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


his plans, the promptness with which he executed them, and the 
remarkable manner with which the results justified his conclusions. 
The works, however, that he stormed, were isolated; they stood 
out prominently, one from the other. After gaining the position 
where he made his camp,-beyond “the gorge,” he knew precisely 
the work he had to perform. After that time, there were to him 
no concealed barricades, no unknown w T alls, covering immense 
forces. He viewed the defences of Federation hill and those 
opposite, and which should be first carried was instantly sug¬ 
gested. From the instant he commenced to act, a series of bril¬ 
liant successes crowned his arms; His soldiers performed prodi¬ 
gies of valor, and nearly all met in the captured works unharmed, 
to congratulate themselves on their success. 

The Mexicans were evidently unprepared for the spirit with 
which we assailed them. There is reason to believe that they 
occupied their strongholds, hugging the notion that they were in¬ 
vulnerable. They appeared to rely upon the natural fastnesses of 
their positions, more than upon personal prowess. They mistook 
the character of our troops, and seemed to be unaware, that the 
very glory to be obtained in storming the towering peaks on which 
they were enthroned, stimulated, rather than depressed, the ardoi 
of our troops. 

At the east end of the city, on the contrary, nothing of import¬ 
ance, of the defences, was really known. It was presumed to be 
strongly fortified, and Gen. Taylor disposed of his forces with that 
idea. Yet no military imagination could have conceived the forts 
and barricades that crowded upon each other ; for there is no pre¬ 
cedence in history for the multitudinous works that were erected 
at the east end of Monterey. Complicated and singularly strong, 
they stretched their arms even to the important position of the 
main Plaza, where was concentrated the main body of the troops. 
As Col. Garland approached, the enemy could reinforce, as needed, 
without exposure. If numbers were cut down, thousands occupied 
the rear to take the places of the slain and wounded ; and hence 
it was, that in the first assault which led towards the tete du pont , 
the arrival of fresh troops was constantly noticed—hundreds were 


THE EAST AND WEST DEFENCES. 


103 


seen pouring into places where, at the commencement of the ac¬ 
tion, a small number only was deemed sufficient. 

In tfte three days’ battle, the obstinacy of the resistance at the 
east end of the city is remarkable ; Mexican soldiers there dis¬ 
played unusual courage. Not a place was surrendered until it 
had been repeatedly reinforced. The thinned ranks of the First 
and Volunteer Divisions attest to the effects of the arrival of these 
overwhelming numbers. Except the charge of Lancers upon the 
height above the Bishop’s palace, no attempt was made at the 
west end of the city, to regain a lost position; and that attempt 
was so miserably executed, that it cost the enemy the palace itself. 
More than four-fifths of the killed and wounded occurred at the 
east end of the city. It was there that the different commands 
made a series of assaults in the face of a superior force, and main¬ 
tained their positions under singularly trying circumstances ; they 
made the sacrifices that were to be consummated in the capture 
of the city. 

It may be easily answered,—what would have been the character 
of the assault, had the defenders in these strongholds, however 
numerous, been confined to their original numbers, instead of be¬ 
ing constantly reinforced, as long as the contest ccntinued. It 
should also be remembered, that portions of these defences were 
the dwellings of the citizens. While they possessed all the 
strength that military art required, they were also sanctified by 
the social hearth ; upon the walls hung the household gods, and 
unitedly, these influences inspired a bravery that the Mexicans 
never felt in the lone fortifications upon the mountain heights. 

The spectator, at the east end of the town, after examining the 
forts, barricades, and fortified houses for the hundredth time, in¬ 
voluntarily utters exclamations of surprise, at their strength. 
When thus coldly viewed, the question does not suggest itself, 
“ why so many were slain ?” but, “ why were not all, who faced 
them in the hour of battle, stricken down ?” 

Subsequent events have incontestebly shown, that the Mexicans 
calculated that our army would attempt to enter the city over the 
bridge at the eastern end. The defences were all constructed 

O 


104 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


upon that supposition; every piece of artillery (except those for 
enfilading) pointed, as if from that direction alone might be ex¬ 
pected an attack. And why was it, that the Mexicans did not 
accomplish their designs ? Why was it, that our whole army was 
not cut up in the strongholds at the eastern end of the city ? Be¬ 
cause the commander-in-chief instantly conceived the idea of the 
enemy's plans, and he frustrated them by striking an unexpected 
blow on the West; the Mexicans thereby were confused, and their 
hopes defeated. 

Whatever may be the effect of events now transpiring, on the 
future, the stormiug of Monterey will stand forth pre-eminently in 
military operations, as one of the most extraordinary on record. 
That city was always, among the sturdy Spaniards, accounted im¬ 
pregnable. It had been frequently assaulted, in the different wars 
of the country, by strong forces. It stood a severe siege of thir¬ 
teen days, unharmed by the “ royal troops of Spain,” during the 
revolution which resulted in the independence of Mexico of the 
mother country. 

In the assault on Monterey, the extraordinary spectacle is ex¬ 
hibited, of six thousand mixed troops, far advanced in an enemy’s 
country, attacking a city of the greatest possible natural and arti¬ 
ficial strength, and carrying it by storm. 

It will be remembered, that in the year 1S15, at New Orleans, 
a low barricade composed of cotton-bales, defended by a body of 
hastily collected militia, served to repulse fifteen thousand veteran 
regular troops, just from the scenes of successful warfare. 

In the earlier history of our country, we find that Gen. Aber¬ 
crombie, with a force of sixteen thousand English and American 
troops, made an assault upon Fort Ticonderoga, defended bv six 
thousand men. The army advanced to the charge with the great¬ 
est intrepidity. The works were but nine feet high, but strength¬ 
ened by the interlacing of fallen forest trees. Under the fire of 
about halt the force in the fort, (that being the greatest number 
that could at any time come into action,) Abercrombie remained 
two hours, in that time losing two thousand men in killed and 
wounded, when he ordered a retreat. 



.HISTORICAL COMPARISON. 


105 


At Monterey, American soldiers stormed its strongholds, carried 
its intrenchments, its castles and forts, although twice their own 
number were defending them;—while now, with a few thousand 
American troops, the city rivals in strength Quebec and Gibraltar; 
and, with those places, would be equally difficult for an attacking 
force to carry by storm 



10G 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY., 


CHAPTER XIV. 

Gen. Ampudia—His character—His despatch announcing the surrender of Mon¬ 
terey—His proclamation to the people of northern Mexico—Proclamation of 
the acting president of Mexico. 

General Ampudia, after the capture of Monterey, established 
his head-quarters at Saltillo, where he had five weeks allowed, by 
the armistice, to arrange for future operations. The extraordi¬ 
nary character of this man for deceit and arrant cowardice pre¬ 
sents a most disgusting picture to contemplate. It has been his 
fortune to distinguish himself in every base sentiment of the 
heart. His earliest notice is associated, to the American mind, 
with acts of treachery and cruelty; and that a man so perfidious 
should have an important command in the Mexican army, is a 
striking instance of the degradation of the morals of his nation. 

We find Ampudia the same degraded being throughout his 
whole history. He is first heard of by his oppressing and mur¬ 
dering his own countrymen, as a leader of a strong band of rob¬ 
bers against weak and unprotected citizens. 

His conduct at Mier makes him conspicuous for cowardice, and 
his revolting treatment of the body of Gen. Sentamanat distin¬ 
guishes him for the basest cruelty. As second in command under 
Arista, in the battles of the 8th and 9th, he spread disorganization 
among the troops; and while professing the greatest friendship 
for his commanding general to his face, and, also, by his printed 
documents, he spent his time in treasonable efforts to dispossess 
him ; and was the first to retreat from the battle of Resaca de la 
Palma, and, even in his precipitate flight, he denounced Arista 
as having sold his soldiers for American gold. 

Characteristic of his whole life, on the day that the capitulation 
of Monterey was completed, he sent the following despatch to the 


DESPATCH OF GEN. AMPUDIA. 


107 


Mexican secretary of war, announcing the surrender of Mon¬ 
terey. 

Most Excellent Sir :—After a brilliant defence, in the course 
of which the enemy was repulsed with the loss of fifteen hundred 
men from various posts, he succeeded in possessing himself of the 
heights commanding the Bishop’s palace, and another to the south 
of it, and likewise of a detached breastwork, called the Teneria, 
and, continuing his attacks through the houses, which he pierced 
in a direction towards the centre of the city, he succeeded in 
posting himself within half a gunshot of the principal square, 
where the troops were posted, who suffered much from the hollow 
shot. 

Under these circumstances, I was requested by various princi¬ 
pal officers to endeavor to come to such terms as would diminish 
our losses ; for, to open our way with the bayonet, surrounded as 
we were by intrenched enemies, would have resulted in the dis¬ 
persal of the troops, and nothing of the materiel would have been 
saved. These considerations having been weighed by me, I also 
took into view what the city suffered, and would suffer from the 
attacks by the piercing of the houses as well as the destruction 
by the bombs ; the scarcity of ammunition, which was beginning 
to be felt; the provisions which we were losing as the enemy’s 
lines approached the centre ; the distance from our supplies ; 
and, finally, that to protract this state of things for two or three 
days, even if it were possible to do so, could not end in a tri¬ 
umph ; and I consented to open propositions, which resulted in the 
annexed terms of capitulation. 

Your Excellency will perceive that they preserve the honor of 
the nation and that of the army ; and it is to be observed, that if 
they do not grant us as much as was, perhaps, expected, that of 
itself proves the superiority of the enemy, not in valor, which he 
displayed in most of the combats, but in his position within the 
squares of pierced masonry, which surrounded the square and 
cut off any supplies of provisions, wood, or other articles necessary 
to subsistence. 


108 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREt. 

With the greatest regret, the army withdraws from their capital, 
abundantly watered with its blood, leaving under the guaranty 
of the promises of the American generals, the severely wounded 
and the neighbouring population of the state, whose civil autho¬ 
rities will continue in the exercise of their functions. To-morrow 
I shall continue my march to Saltillo, where I will await the 
orders of the supreme government. And in communicating this 
to you, for the information of his excellency the president, I have 
the honour to reiterate the assurances of my highest respect. 

PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

God and liberty ! 

Head-quarters at Monterey, September 26th, 1846. 

Following this, on his arrival at Saltillo, he issued a proclama¬ 
tion to the people of northern Mexico, giving the details of the 
capture of Monterey, as follows : 

The General commanding the Army of the North, to the People 

of the Three Departments. 

Fellow Citizens :—Occupied, before all things else, in pro¬ 
viding for the defence of the rights and integrity of the territory 
of our beloved Republic, against the enemy that has invaded her 
soil, the supreme government thought proper to intrust to me the 
command of the patriotic troops destined on the northern frontier 
to this holy purpose. I accepted, with enthusiasm, the post 
assigned me—(for the zeal with which I have ever defended the 
holy cause of the people is notorious to every one)—and in the 
beginning of the month assumed the direction of such means as 
were in my power to repel the advance of the enemy. But, 
fearing that the charge would prove too great for my feeble abili¬ 
ties, I solicited the worthy and most excellent Senor Gen. Don 
Juan Neponuceno Almonte to come and relieve me from the com¬ 
mand of the army, presuming that the illustrious conqueror of 
Panuco would, on his return to Mexico, resume the reins of our 
national government. 

On the 19th instant, the enemy having appeared in the vicinity 


PROCLAMATION OF GEN. AMP LIDIA. 


109 


of Monterey, and encamped in the San Domingo woods,—their 
camp being one league in length and three leagues in circum¬ 
ference,—I ordered their movements to he carefully observed, and 
hostilities to be commenced forthwith; the generals and other 
officers who were under my command, of every branch of the 
service, being all decided to risk a combat rather than retreat. 

The redoubts of the citadel and of the new cathedral opened 
their fires the same day upon the enemy, who were occupied 
during that and the succeeding day in reconnoitering and prepar¬ 
ing for the attack. 

On the 21st, the assault was made by a formidable body of their 
troops, chiefly of the regular army, upon the bridge of the Puri- 
sina and our redoubts of the Teneria and Rincon del Diablo, but 
they were gloriously driven back by our valiant veterans, with a 
positive loss to our adversaries of fifteen hundred men. 

On the morning of the 22d, Gen. Taylor directed his columns 
of attack against the Bishop’s hill, an elevation commanding the 
city, and although in their first advance they were repulsed in a 
skirmish, a full brigade of regular troops returned to the charge. 
Unfortunately, two pieces of cannon and a mortar, which com¬ 
manded the position, got out of order and became useless, and, 
although as soon as advised of it, I sent a reinforcement of infan¬ 
try, with two pieces of light artillery, to their aid; it reached the 
hill too late—the enemy had already succeeded in obtaining pos¬ 
session of the castle. 

This accident compelled me to concentrate my force in the 
plaza, in order to present to the foe a more vigorous defence, and 
to repel on the 23d, as was done, the assaults made by them 
through the streets and houses of the city. But, as under these 
circumstances, I suffered great scarcity of ammunition and pro¬ 
visions, and in spite of the ardor with which the entire army, 
both regulars and auxiliaries, were animated, I proposed to the 
American general, a parley, which resulted in an understanding 
by which the honor of the nation and the army, the personel of 
the division under my command, its arms and equipments, were 
preserved. 

K 


no 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


This is a true statement of the operations of the campaign, up 
to the 24th inst., and if an inadequate supply of means and other 
circumstances have led to this result, we have yet no cause for a 
moment’s dismay, for the Republic will now put forward all her 
elements of greatness; and with one single victory, which we 
may, shall, and must obtain, will solve the problem definitely, in 
favor of our arms. 

People of the east—The event which occurred at Monterey is of 
little moment. The favorite general of the Mexicans, the worthy 
and most excellent Senor Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, will 
promptly take charge, in person, of the direction of the cam¬ 
paign ; let the sacred fire of patriotism continue to burn in our 
bosoms, and, without fail, we will triumph over our enemies. 

PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

Head-quarters, Saltillo, 29 tli September , 1846. 

Ampudia opened the preliminaries that led to the capitulation 
of the city, by stating that he had positive information from his 
government, that arrangements had been entered into by the two 
nations that would lead to a peace. In his statement of the causes 
why he gave up the city, he says it was owing to the want of 
ammunition and provisions ! In the cathedral, there was found 
powder enough to carry on the war for years, and the inhabitants 
of the city and our troops were comfortably subsisted for weeks 
upon the provisions left by Gen. Ampudia. Of the correctness 
of his statements regarding the military operations, the reader can 
judge. Such is the being who held supreme command over an 
important part of Mexico. 

Upon the arrival, at the capital, of the news of the fall of Mon¬ 
terey, the acting president issued the following proclamation: 

Mexicans: —A government established against the will of the 
nation is interested in concealing from it events which are disas¬ 
trous to it ; above all, when the responsibility of their occurrence 
must fall upon the government. A government whose sentiments 
and interests are no other than those of the nation, and which has 
emanated from the movement by which it threw off its oppressors, 


PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT. 


Ill 


has no need to conceal any thing from it, for the nation itself must 
combat for its preservation and for its honor. 

Mexicans! Monterey has fallen. It was not enough to defy 
death, as our valiant fellow-countrymen did for four days ; it was 
necessary to do more, to defy want in every shape, and the insuffi¬ 
ciency of means of resistance. The intention of the enemy to 
occupy the whole Republic is manifest; but the government is 
determined to triumph or perish with the Republic. Partial dis¬ 
asters are of no importance ; the Spanish nation suffered much 
more in the space of six years, and the result of her heroic 
efforts, and the co-operation of all her sons, was that the bones 
of half a million of unjust invaders whiten the fields of the Pen¬ 
insula. Shall we become unworthy of independence, by not 
showing ourselves sons worthy of our fathers ? That independ¬ 
ence was achieved by us alone, only after ten years of constancy ; 
and it is not possible that an organized nation should show less 
strength than its oppressed sons, such as our first leaders were. 

Mexicans ! The time to act has come. Will you suffer your 
]3opulation to be decimated, sending it to perish by handfuls on 
the frontier, one to-day, another to-morrow, and to perish less by 
the enemy’s balls than by neglect ? The government will exert 
all its power in the defence of rights; but it has a right to expect 
that indifference or inactive contemplation shall not be the recom¬ 
pense of its plan of operations ; for the nation will prefer that not 
one stone should be left upon another, rather than behold its sove¬ 
reignty, its rights, and its temples trampled under foot. The 
invincible general, called by it to place himself at the head of the 
troops, is resolved not to survive the dishonor of his country. 

Will it be less so ? No. Our blood and our property will be 
the sacrifice that we offer up; and when you are in the full en¬ 
joyment of the rights which you claimed, I do not doubt of your 
co-operation, and with it we will snatch from fortune a complete 
victory, which in the end will ensure to us existence and honor. 

JOSE MARIANO DE SALAS. 


112 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER XV. 

Monterey—Its situation—Character of its buildings—Incident in its history— 
Entrance to the city—The main plaza—Its Cathedral—Halls of Justice— 
Trophies of war—East end of the city—West end of the city—Arista’s pa¬ 
lace—H ospital—Cemetery. 

Monterey (literally the King's Woods ) is the principal city of 
the department of New Leon, and contains in ordinary times fifteen 
thousand inhabitants. It was commenced in the 16th century, and 
is situated so as to command the pass of the mountains that sepa¬ 
rate the plains, that border on the gulf of Mexico, from the moun¬ 
tainous region. The mountains are unlike those of the more 
northern parts of our continent. Their bases are not surrounded 
by broken land or gradual ascents; on the contrary, they rise sud¬ 
denly from the plain, and seem, although in stupendous groups, 
each isolated and distinct. Their aspect is singularly dreary, 
their steep sides have no attractive spots, while the tops mingle 
in the thin clouds above, looking at all times cold and desolate. 

The city of Monterey is at the foot of a hill running from the 
east to the west. Between it and the hill winds the San Juan, until 
it reaches the east end of the town, when it turns suddenly north¬ 
ward, bounding Monterey on the south and east. The country ap¬ 
proaching it from Camargo is level; beyond, nothing is met but in¬ 
terminable hills. 

The greater part of the city is built in the old Spanish style, 
with houses of one story, the walls of which vary from eighteen to 
thirty inches in thickness. The window-shutters and doors are 
double, the windows protected by heavy iron bars in the place of 
sashes, the mildness of the climate making glass unnecessary. The 
interior of these buildings is often ornamented; the walls of some 
delicate color, festooned with roses, and garnished by pictures of 
saints. The floors are of cement or brick made perfectly smooth 
nd well painted. 



ENTRANCE TO THE CITY. 


113 


To the American there are many things to call forth his admira¬ 
tion, besides the events connected with its capture by our arms. In 
1816, General Mina, a partisan officer of the frontiers of Mexico, 
called about him a number of gallant and daring spirits, who con¬ 
ceived the idea of conquering New Leon and the surrounding 
country. The assistance they had a right to expect from certain 
disaffected inhabitants of the department was not given. Mina 
and his party were betrayed and taken prisoners by a superior 
force under Arredorido, and carried to Monterey, and employed for 
a long time in placing the pavements that now adorn its streets. 
In time all, save a few who escaped, were taken out and basely 
shot by order of the government.* 

Approaching the city from Merine, hut little is seen of its build¬ 
ings ; the citadel in front, and the towers of the cathedral are the 
principal objects that attract the eye. But continuing on, you de¬ 
scend into the “bottom,” in which the city stands. You pass 
through a few lanes, forming the suburbs of the city, when you 
unexpectedly find yourself at the entrance of a beautiful bridge 
that spans a quick running stream. On examination you discover 
that the water rises from a rocky bed, under which are some of 
the finest living springs in the world. The bridge, you learn by 
inscription, is nearly a century old, and the long time passed since 
its erection has only tended to harden into one solid mass the stone 
and mortar of which it is constructed. Upon the column that bears 
the inscription stands a statue of the Virgin, of the size of life. 
The drapery being in colors, attracts the unaccustomed eye from 
its novelty, and takes away from the sacred character abstractly 
peculiar to pure white marble, and doubly impressive when exhi¬ 
biting some hero, or sacred personage. 

The guardian sainte of Monterey, by her blue mantle and golden 
crown, was socialized to suit the ideas of the citizens who adored 
and worshipped at her shrine. It was around her sacred form that, 
in the assault, the Mexicans seemed most to concentrate, and no 


* The senior editor of the St. Louis Reveille (1847) is the only survivor 
this expedition. 


K 2 


8 


of 




114 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


doubt as her mild calm face was seen amidst the smoke of the bat¬ 
tle, it gave courage and inspired hope. 

As in all Mexican cities, the principal streets tend towards the 
plaza. There may be a dozen, but in one only is every thing 
attractive concentrated. A few squares passed, brings you to this 
important place. You find one side of the great plaza /occupied 
as usual by the cathedral, and Monterey boasts of one that would 
ornament any city on our continent. The architecture is peculiar, 
a curious mixture of the Grecian and Moorish ; the effect as a 
whole is decidedly pleasing. The roof is formed by a magnificent 
dome, in the front of which, springing from the corners of the 
buildings, rise two towers. In one is the town clock and barome¬ 
ter, in the other a chime of Spanish bells. The building is sur¬ 
rounded by a heavy stone wall, which, besides its handsome gate¬ 
way, is elaborately ornamented with figures in stucco, mostly in 
basso-relievo, illustrating legends of the Spanish church. 

The interior is striking]}' - imposing, a dim light only struggles 
through the high narrow windows, the greatest flood playing upon 
the altar. Paintings, many of seeming merit, the best of the 
Murillo school, and perhaps by that master’s own hand, hang from 
the walls, beside execrable pictures of native origin of almost 
hieroglyphical simplicity. The altar was deprived of its rich 
ornaments. In that sacred place, as well as in the body of the build¬ 
ing, Ampudia had piled his immense stores of ammunition, as 
regardless of the sanctity of the church as he would have been of 
a jacal. His profanation seemed to carry its punishment, for 
when he discovered that our shells struck against the walls of the 
building, he found that, in its explosion, not only his enemies, but 
himself would be destroyed. 

Opposite the cathedral are the halls of justice and the prisons. 
They have a dreadful appearance; the heavy massive walls and 
crowded grated windows give fearful evidence of the narrow cells 
within, and the hopelessness of escape, except in death. High 
above, on the wide parapet, walked day and night the lone Mexican 
sentinel, giving additional repulsiveness to the building. To an 
American, a Mexican prison, be it where it may, at Monterey, or 



THE MAIN PLAZA. 


115 


Perote, at Matamoros or Mier, is a place of fearful interest, and one 
in which hundreds of his fellow-countrymen have lingered out a 
painful and degraded existence. In the centre of the plaza, after 
the surrender of the city, the captured cannon was arranged, and 
made an imposing appearance. The pieces in many instances 
bore the familiar inscriptions of our own manufactories, but there 
were others of foreign origin, with quaint mottoes, and singular 
names. The vicissitudes of artillery in the fortunes of war are 
among the most curious and romantic of its incidents. 

The faces of the plaza, at right angles with the cathedral and 
halls of justice, were occupied by the fashion stores and offices of 
various kinds, and must, in the “ piping time of peace,” have pre¬ 
sented a gay appearance, when filled with costly goods, blazing 
with light, and thronged with signoras and gay cavalleros. 

East of the plaza, the city is crowded with buildings, so that 
every square is literally a perfect fortification. The fronts of many 
of these dwellings showed the indentation of the cannon ball, and 
the heavy window bars were bent in the terrible concussion. In 
these places were the groceries and retail shops ; the latter kept 
principally by Englishmen and Scotchmen, who had in many in¬ 
stances adopted Mexican clothes and moustache and Mexican 
complexions and habits, but their hearts still throbbed at hearing 
their native language, and their eyes betrayed that they acknow¬ 
ledged our troops as brothers, as men of their own family. 

In the upper part of the city was concentration of wealth. The 
private residence sits lordly in the centre of a square, hid from 
view by heavy stone walls, over which peep, in luxuriant profu¬ 
sion, the orange and lime tree, which mingle the sweets of their 
snowy blossoms with the mild fragrance of those of the apple tree 
that blushes by their side. What a climate is possessed by Mon¬ 
terey, where the fruits of the tropics vie in perfection while growing 
beside those of the temperate zone—where birds of the gayest plu¬ 
mage, such as only are gilded and bronzed by the fiercest heats, 
sit and shine, beside the humbly decorated songster that seems pe¬ 
culiar to snowy climes! 

At the foot of the Palace hill is “Arista’s palace.” It is a fairy 


116 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


]; nd, and its former possessor had rare taste, and knew that the 
wide-spread lawn, and the shade tree, cheap as they are, gave 
more beauty and more aristocracy of appearance, than abortive 
attempts in stone and mortar. It is the ornamented grounds that 
appeared so beautiful, for the house is small; its piazza, however, 
is liberal, and is extended entirely around it. Upon terraces of 
stone, hundreds of earthen jars were ranged, in which flowering 
bulbs opened their limpid-looking petals, beside the double-leafed 
rose, and the whole were reflected into a small stream that stole 
along in its artificial canal, until it noisily poured into a magnificent 
bath. 

Here was the hospital of the First Division ; here was repairing 
the injury given to poor humanity, in the conflict of arms. Here, 
among the severely wounded, were Capt. Gatlin and Lieut. Potter, 
of the Seventh, and Lieutenant Wainwright of the Eighth. Here 
were prostrate our countrymen, fevered with pain, from every 
variety of wounds. The damp sweat of death trickled down the 
foreheads of some, while the healthful glow of convalescence 
beamed upon the wan cheeks of others. An army hospital in 
time of war is a place of curious reflection, and most solemn 
thought. A chill of dread passes over the mind on entering the 
pestilential buildings usually occupied for such an office, and the 
feeling was but little modified, in viewing the wrecks of the hostile 
field, although surrounded by the choicest bounties of nature ; an 
elysium created by taste in the rare climate of New Leon. 

“The cemetery,” directly at the foot of the Palace hill, is a spot 
of interest to the American. That excellent taste, so observable in 
all Catholic countries, that prompts so much care of the abodes of 
the dead, displayed itself in all the grave-yards of Monterey, par¬ 
ticularly in the “old one” of the cemetery. Here lay the ancient 
Spanish population. Two centuries had almost passed away since 
they had commenced their long sleep ; their old tombs were but 
little impressed by time ; the clear air and fine climate preserving 
rather than corroding the marble and stone. Near the entrance 
was situated the Monterey chapel. It consisted simply of a dome 
resting upon pillars, under which was an altar, and a table in front 


THE CEMETERY. 


117 


of it, used to bear the dead, while the priest performed the last 
burial rites. The high strong walls of the cemetery had been 
mounted with cannon, and its sacred ground filled with troops. 
The rude tramp of soldiery had marked their footsteps upon the 
sod, and defaced the marble with their weapons, but they had not 
the courage to justify their profanation by a defence of the graves 
of their fathers, but fled the instant that our guns opened unon 
them. 



118 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

Monterey after the surrender—The cathedral—Gov. Morales and Gen. Taylor—- 
Misunderstanding—Mexican insensibility to kind treatment—Letter from a 
citizen—Social life—Female character—Superiority of Mexican women— 
Society. 

As soon as the troops of the enemy had left the city, it began to 
wear a more cheerful aspect than greeted the curious observer at 
the time of the capitulation. Many of the most public thorough¬ 
fares became animated with citizens, who opened their stores for 
traffic with “ the invaders.” 

The Rev. Mr. Rey, the Catholic priest, distinguished himself 
for the zeal with which he had the cathedral cleared of its profa¬ 
nations and prepared for divine service. Capt. Ramsey, of the 
Ordnance department, found his “ stores” tumbled about by the 
padre, in a most unmilitary manner, and in spite of protestations 
to the contrary, he was obliged to submit to the indignity ; the 
church having an entire victory over the military department, sc 
far as clearing out the munitions of war from the interior of the 
cathedral was concerned. 

On the 4th day of October, the Rev. Mr. Rey preached to a 
large congregation, composed of soldiers of every grade, and a 
great number of the Mexican citizens. It was a carious spectacle 
to witness the sun-burnt veterans of our army so recently engaged 
in the strife of war, now kneeling beside their enemies, acknow¬ 
ledging the same Supreme power, and evincing that they were 
children of the same Father. 

A mutual understanding was had between Gen. Taylor and Gov. 
Morales, in which it was agreed that the governor might pursue 


FEELINGS OF THE MEXICANS. 


119 


his civil capacity unmolested, where it did not interfere with our 
military operations, and that the citizens were to bring in com 
and other supplies at prices agreed upon; but a misunderstand¬ 
ing arising in the preliminaries, the governor complimented 
Gen. Taylor in one of his letters as follows: 

With satisfaction it is known to the government of this state, that 
your excellency is perfectly versant with the French idiom. This 
government has a proficient interpreter in this language, and wishes 
(to be better understood) that all future communications from your 
excellency may be made in this idiom. With profound respect, 

God and Liberty ! 

FRANCISCO DE P. MORALES. 

Monterey, Sept. 29, 1846. 

To Z. Taylor, commander-in-chief, Army of Occupation, U. S. 

Gen. Taylor promptly informed “ the functionary,” that he had 
been misinformed in regard to his possessing a knowledge of the 
French idiom, and so ended the important matter. 

The better class of citizens but slowly returned to their homes; 
all who could leave at the taking of the city, seemed to have done 
so, as they had no faith in our promises of protection. The spirit 
of exaggeration that seems peculiar to the people, appears uncon¬ 
sciously to affect their conduct, and they act as if they spoke the 
truth, even while most departing from it. The Mexicans have 
never given our government the least credit for its leniency after a 
battle ; the wounded who were taken from the battle-fields of Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and conveyed in our wagons to Point 
Isabel and Matamoros, and nursed often to the momentary exclu¬ 
sion of our own suffering troops, recovered from their wounds, and 
when they were able, entered the ranks of the enemy, and all 
spread the most revolting tales of our cruelty and disregard of the 
offices of humanity. Promptly paid for every service rendered 
or value received, the very recipients of this bounty are foremost 
to represent themselves as robbed of their goods and chattels. 
The following letter, written evidently by a respectable citizen, and 


120 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


originally given to the world in a Vera Cruz paper, illustrates this 
singular feature of the Mexican character. 

“Monterey, September 28, 1846. 

“My dear Friend: — I reply to your short letter of the 28th, 
which reached me by the same hands through which this will he 
delivered. I can communicate nothing new which has transpired 
in the few days since the military occupation of this town by the 
vandalism of the Volunteers who serve under the banners of the 
United States. There is not a house in the interior of the town 
and centre of the city which is not occupied by force, without any 
agreement with the proprietors or their agents in regard to the pay¬ 
ment of rent. Nothing has been respected, notwithstanding that 
Gen. Taylor and Gen. Worth are prodigal of assurances to those 
public functionaries, who have remained behind to be -witnesses of 
the unnumbered outrages which are daily perpetrated upon un¬ 
armed citizens, that they have express orders from their govern¬ 
ment to respect the property, laws, prevailing religion, and even 
the prejudices of the people. They repeat this to such officers, 
public or private, as apply to them to know what guaranties fami¬ 
lies can have, while they make preparations for their departure 
from this unhappy capital; but the result is, that nothing is re¬ 
spected ; that the utmost insecurity prevails ; that no one is master 
of his own property, or even of his own existence, threatened with 
perfect impunity by the unbridled Volunteers, who, let loose upon 
the whole city, commit excesses which decency and shame pre¬ 
vent me from specifying. The force which has been introduced 
into the city, consists of between two and three thousand Regulars, 
well disciplined, subordinate, and under excellent officers. The 
remainder consists of a thousand or fifteen hundred unbridled Vo¬ 
lunteers, much like the Camanches in their appearance, ferocity, 
and customs. 

“ It is said that the rest of these forces, amounting to nine thou¬ 
sand, are stationed in the woods, the Obispado, and other camps. 
In regard to what is said of that which is beyond the city, I am 


SOCIAL LIFE. 


121 


not responsible, for they are very deceitful, and endeavor to exag¬ 
gerate their forces. 

“ They have more than one thousand wounded, and about four 
hundred sick with fevers and dysentery. Many of their officers 
are dead, and I see that they are appalled by the abandonment of 
this city by the poor as well as rich. They ask every moment if 
Gen. Santa Anna is coming with troops ; if there are, besides those 
who have left here, any troops at San Luis ; and if the government, 
after the loss of this department, will not be inclined to enter into 
negotiations with the United States. Every thing indicates that 
in two days they will withdraw the Volunteers, in place of whom 
the population may return ; but it is certain that no one will re¬ 
main here, and they can only secure their conquest by the extermina¬ 
tion of the Mexican race.” 

The social life of the Montereyans exhibits a higher order of 
refinement than had been witnessed by our troops, who had pro¬ 
ceeded from Matamoros. It was evident that as “the interior” 
was approached, the people became more hardy and intelligent. 
No doubt the temperate climate caused exertions to be made in¬ 
compatible with the heats of the lower lands. The rich mines, 
too, have their influence upon the inhabitants of Monterey ; with 
the means there comes the desire for luxurious refinement. 

Display is the ruling passion; a ride in the plaza, or a promi¬ 
nent place at church, seems to be among the highest ambitions. 
To an American, a Mexican gentleman appears incommoded with 
trappings, and absurd from his gaudy display. On horseback or on 
foot, there is a theatrical air that betrays the most superficial 
thinker and the most profound vanity. The character of the men of 
Mexico is familiar with our people, but the female population are 
of a higher order of beings, and most worthy of admiration; they 
are possessed of all the good qualities so wanting in the opposite 
sex. 

The Mexican women of every class are brave and humane. They 
resented the surrender of Matamoros, and denounced the members 
of their own army to their faces. At Monterey, the women wrote 
L 



122 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


letters to different departments, charging their own troops with 
cowardice. They have always shown every disposition to make 
any sacrifices in the defence of their country ; and there is an 
almost certainty that a woman commanded a body of Lancers at 
Monterey, and was distinguished for her bravery. In the principal 
grave-yard near the city of Mexico, there is to be seen the tomb 
of Donna Maria Vicario de Qmitana, of whom it is stated, that “she 
preferred to leave her convent and join the standard of her country, 
under which she performed many feats of valor.” Over the 
battle-field, on the suburbs of Monterey, they hovered, as minister¬ 
ing angels, and were seen to extend their kind services to our own 
wounded, who were afterwards lanced by the Mexican troops. 

In the whole of Mexico, in fact in all the Spanish American 
countries, the women are superior to the men, both in body and 
mind. Comparatively uneducated, they perform their social duties 
with a higher regard to virtue than the moral standard of their 
nation demands. The higher classes are idle from habit, yet they 
make the hours agreeable by entwining their hair with blossoms, 
or making delicate embroideries. They while away the day in the 
hammock and in dressing for public display. In society, they 
converse pertly with their tongues and scandalize with the move¬ 
ment of their fans. They take an active part in the political strifes 
with which they are surrounded, and are justly credited with 
originating many of the revolutions that distract their country. 
With all their superior traits, they have weaknesses, as have all 
humanity. 

A Mexican woman, high or low, rich or poor, bestows all of her 
choicest sympathy upon her feet. To be beautiful otherwise, and 
yet not have small feet, is but vanity and vexation of spirit; bright 
eyes, virtue, and mind, are all secondary ; hence it is that Mexican 
women have an intellectuality about their extremities truly admi¬ 
rable to behold. In walking, sitting, or praying in the cathedral, 
the satin pointed slipper occupies the eye, and seems ever to be 
prominent and worthy of admiration. 

Of the best society of Monterey, our troops have had few op- 




SOCIETY IN MONTEREY. 


123 


portunities of judging. Society, in fact, is broken up by the 
miseries entailed by war, and the want of a community of lan¬ 
guages, together. The peculiar relation of conqueror and conquered, 
makes, save in extraordinary cases, a proper appreciation of Mexi¬ 
can society impossible. It seems, however, to be in the order of 
Providence, that these women, so justly to be admired, are to be¬ 
come wives and mothers of a better race. 



















* 

- 

* ; - ! 








































































































































































































LIST OF OFFICERS WHO FELL AT MONTEREY. 


[The author has prepared biographical notices of such officers as he could 
obtain materials for—all are imperfect; but he regrets that he could not have 
completed the sketches according to his wishes. Capt. Ridgely, although he did 
not fall in the battle, is included in the list, his name having become one of the 
greatest interest to his countrymen for his gallantry and his untimely death.] 













































































V 

7 












' 












' 






























— 






















































OBITUARY.* 


LIEUT. COL. W. H. WATSON. 

The city of Baltimore has been singularly called upon to lament over 
the death of her noble sons, who have fallen defending their country upon 
the plains of Mexico. When the news of actual hostilities first reached 
the “ monumental city,” the exultation over the victories was clouded by 
the death of the lamented Ringgold. When the news of the capitulation 
of Monterey filled the whole country with joy, Baltimore, amidst her 
smiles, was called upon to shed tears of sorrow over her favorite son, the 
gallant Watson. No one rushed to their country’s call with more avidity 
than did he; none left their homes with more blessings, or with more of 
the confidence of the people that he would do his duty. 

Lieut. Col. Watson redeemed every pledge of hope, every sanguine 
wish of his numerous friends. He fell lamented by all; exhibiting a fear¬ 
lessness of death, and an exalted patriotism, seldom equalled, and never 
surpassed upon the battle-field. His corpse wore a placid smile, the very 
clay was animate, in its last expression, of the noble soul that dwelt there¬ 
in—of the full and abiding consciousness arising from duties well and 
satisfactorily performed. 

Col. Watson was just in the prime of life, and when he left his home 
he was, as a lawyer, giving great promise in his profession. He was re¬ 
markable for the interest he took in all public duties, and distinguished 
himself by his zeal and perseverance. He has left a widow to weep over 
his loss, and orphan children to inherit his fame and look to his country 
for protection. His youngest, a daughter, born on the very day that her 
gallant father fell, bears the name of Monterey; sad, yet noble name!— 
one, from the peculiar circumstances attendant upon it, that will make its 
owner a star among the fair daughters of her native city. 

Upon the arrival of the news of his death in Baltimore, the flags of the 
shipping in port were lowered half-mast, and the different military and 
civic societies immediately met to pay tribute to his memory—prominent 


* The author of “ Our Army at Monterey,” in preparing such imperfect no¬ 
tices of the distinguished officers who fell in the assault at Monterey as appear in 
the following pages, regrets that several highly distinguished, among the num¬ 
ber, have to be inserted as their names stand in the army list, alone. 

127 



128 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


among which were the volunteer corps to which he belonged, and the Odd 
Fellows’ society of which he was a prominent member. A general meet¬ 
ing of the Bench and Bar was immediately called, Judge Legrand, who 
had on a previous occasion announced the death of Ringgold, in the chair. 
John Y. L. McMahon, Esq., arose and said—“ That in the midst of victory, 
which had shed a glory over our country’s history, when the notes of 
triumph were sounding over our land, this hour we are called upon to 
mourn the death of a fellow-citizen, a member of this bar. He had left 
us with high hopes and aspirations of the future, and had yielded up his 
life for his country’s honor. We who once knew him here, shall know 
him no more on earth. Death generally comes to us in a different man¬ 
ner, with weeping friends around; but death had come to him in the hour 
of victory. In looking around among those who were on that battle-field, 
we recognised the names of many members of the bar in sister States, 
who had volunteered their services to uphold their country’s honor. It 
was not to be expected that when blows were to be found in the battle¬ 
field, the lawyers would be out of the way, but would be found in their 
country’s ranks. They are found so always, and always so may they be 
found. With feelings of mingled sorrow and exultation, I now move,” 
said Mr. McM., “the adoption of the following resolutions: 

“Resolved , That while we participate in the joy that gladdens every heart 
at the brilliant and triumphant successes of our country’s soldiers in the 
desperate battles which won the surrender of Monterey to their courage 
and gallantry, we have heard with deep, unaffected sorrow, that Baltimore 
has again to mourn another gallant son, in the death of Lieut. Col. William 
H. Watson, who, with his brave companions in arms, volunteered at the 
first call of his country, and nobly fell while leading his battalion to victory. 

“Resolved, That while we deplore the loss of a youthful warrior, whose 
patriotism, courage, and untiring energy, gave the brightest promise to his 
country, we most deeply mourn the death of one who, as a member of this 
bar, was respected by all for his professional bearing, and loved by those 
who best knew him, for the warmth and steadfastness of his friendship. 

“ Resolved , That we sympathize with his afflicted family, in the sorrow of 
their bereavement, and request the chairman of this meeting to offer them 
our sincerest condolence. 

“ Resolved , That, as a tribute to the memory of our departed brother and 
friend, we will wear suitable badges of mourning for the remainder of the 
present term. 

“ Resolved , That the proceedings of this meeting be entered upon the mi¬ 
nutes of the Baltimore County Court, with the assent of the judges, and be 
published in the several newspapers of the city.” 



MAJOR W. W. LEAR. 


129 


The resolutions were read, and Reverdy Johnson arose and seconded 
the motion to adopt them, prefacing his second with some feelingly forci¬ 
ble remarks. 

Upon the arrival of the remains of the lamented Watson at Baltimore, 
the most solemn demonstrations were made to pay the la.st tribute to the 
departed hero; it is said, that the ceremonies of the day exceeded any pre¬ 
vious demonstration that had ever taken place in Baltimore. The proces¬ 
sion was over a mile and a half in length, and conducted with singular 
order in all its arrangements. 

In all future time the name of Watson will be revered by the patriot; 
and the young men of the country will look to his conduct for an example, 
and the old will cite it as worthy of emulation. 

MAJOR W. W. LEAR. 

THIRD INFANTRY. 

Major Lear, a native of Maryland, was appointed from the army a 
second lieutenant of the fourth infantry, the 13th of February, 1818; he 
having previously distinguished himself. In the storming of Monterey on 
the 21st, he was struck by a ball that entered his nostrils, and came out 
back of his ear, tearing away his palate. As may be imagined from the 
character of his wound, his sufferings were intense, which he bore with 
singular fortitude. 

Major Lear was a man of iron nerve, a strict and gallant soldier, and a 
warm friend. He was devotedly attached to his family; in the death of 
two interesting daughters, whose remains he at different times followed to 
the grave, he received shocks of sorrow, which, though he struggled with 
all his energy, it was evident he could not overcome. To those who knew 
him intimately well, it was perceptible that his wounded spirit was ever 
bleeding for those whom he had loved and lost; yet to the world he car¬ 
ried a cheerful smile, and delighted in a generous hospitality. 

He expired in Monterey on the morning of the 30th of October, 1846 ; his 
remains were brought out to the camp of his regiment, and interred with 
funeral honors on the afternoon of the 1st of November. Four companies 
of the fourth infantry, under Major Buchanan, were the escort; the third 
infantry followed as mourners. After serving his country faithfully for 
more than a quarter of a century, Major Lear fell at the head of his regi¬ 
ment, and died a soldier’s death. 

General Taylor, on the morning of the day of the burial of the gallant 
dead, issued the following order: 


9 


130 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey , Nov. 1st, 1846. 

The melancholy duty devolves upon the commanding general, of an¬ 
nouncing to the army the decease of Major W. W. Lear, third infantry, 
who expired yesterday of the wound received while gallantly leading his 
regiment in the action of the 21st of September. 

A long and creditable service, commencing in the war of 1812, has thus 
been sadly but nobly closed. Kind and generous in his private relations, 
and, though feeble from the ravages of protracted disease, faithful, zealous 
and efficient in the discharge of duty, the relatives and friends of the de¬ 
ceased major, and the service at large, have sustained in his death no or¬ 
dinary loss. 

The deceased will be interred at 4 o’clock, P. M., this day, with the 
honors due to his rank. All officers off duty are respectfully invited to 
attend his funeral at the head-quarters of his late regiment, the third in¬ 
fantry. By orde? of Major General Taylor. 

W. W. S. BLISS, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

MAJOR P. N. BARBOUR. 

THIRD INFANTRY. 

The late Major P. N. Barbour was born in Henderson, in the state of 
Kentucky, on the 14th of April, 1813. His family possessed a military re¬ 
putation; his grandfather, General Samuel Hopkins, was an officer in the 
Revolutionary war; and his father, Colonel Philip Barbour, commanded a 
regiment of volunteers under Governor Shelby, at the battle of the Thames. 
He graduated from West Point in June, 1834, and on the first day of July 
following, received a commission in the regular army, from which time 
until the day of his death he was engaged honorably to himself and his 
country, in active service. 

For gallant services in Florida he was brevetted a captain in 1842. At 
Resaca de la Palma, with a small detachment of the third regiment, he 
repulsed a strong body of cavalry, that attempted to recover a piece of ar¬ 
tillery taken by some officers and men of the fourth infantry. He was bre- 
vetted a major from the 9th of May, for his gallant conduct in that battle. 

The generous bravery of Major Barbour, at Monterey, won the admira¬ 
tion of his command and regiment; he was in the thickest of the fight, and 
by his example cheered on his men when advancing to the charge under 
the most trying circumstances. While thus engaged it was his lot to fall. 


CAPTAIN W. G. WILLIAMS. 


131 


before he had fairly reached the fall vigor of manhood, and just as it 
seemed that a glorious future was about to open before him. 

The citizens of his native state showed that they were not unmindful of 
the claims of the hero. Upon the news reaching the capital, eloquent 
resolutions were passed in compliment to his memory. The people of his 
native town resolved to bring home his remains, and over them erect a 
monument, that a record of his private and military virtues might ever be 
present for admiration and emulation. 

CAPTAIN L. N. MORRIS. 

THIRD INFANTRY. 

Appointed from New York, to the Military Academy of West Point. 
Appointed second lieutenant the 1st of July, 1820, captain third regiment 
of infantry 31st October, 1833. Distinguished in the battles of Palo Alto 
and Resaca de la Palma; in both of which he commanded his regiment. 

% CAPTAIN W. G. WILLIAMS.* 

TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS. 

Captain W. G. Williams, who fell mortally wounded, on the first day’s 
assault at the east end of Monterey, entered West Point Military Academy 
from South Carolina; on the 1st of July, 1824, he received the appoint¬ 
ment of second lieutenant in the Seventh Infantry, the Topographical Corps 
not then having been organized. Although born in this country, the 
greater portion of his childhood and early youth was passed in England. 
Returning to the land of his nativity while yet a boy, his mother being de¬ 
ceased, and his father engaged in business which required his absence, he 
was left, in a measure, to carve out his own destiny in life. He conceived 
the determination of entering West Point. Without friends or influence to 
further his aim, he voluntarily, and alone, made personal application, at 
Washington, to some of the distinguished functionaries there, for an ap¬ 
pointment. His prepossessing appearance, and the singular decision of 
character and confidence evinced by the circumstances under which he 
appeared as an applicant for a position which was in eager request by 
numbers with the aid of powerful friends and influence, procured for him 

4 

* This sketch is almost literally adopted as it appeared in the Buffalo Ad¬ 
vertiser, October 15, 1846. 





132 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


what many, with all the advantages of the latter, failed to obtain. By the 
particular efforts of those to whom his application was addressed, and who 
had become deeply interested in his welfare, his wishes were crowned with 
success. Greatly to his father’s amazement, who had left him pursuing 
his studies in an obscure village in Kentucky, he found him on his return 
a Cadet. Apprehensive, somewhat, of his father’s displeasure at his as¬ 
suming the management of his own destination in life, at that early age, 
the young cadet referred him, in justification of his conduct, to the high 
position in the class which his industry and good conduct had secured 
him. With the sanction of the government, a portion of his cadetship was 
passed at Paris, where he prosecuted his mathematical studies, with close 
assiduity, under the best teachers of the French metropolis, and there ac¬ 
quired the French language, which he spoke with the greatest ease and 
fluency. It is hardly necessary to add, that, at the close of his course at 
West Point, his rank was among the first of the class. Upon the organi¬ 
zation of the Topographical Corps, he was appointed to that branch of the 
service. 

Many of the duties performed by him were of a delicate and very im¬ 
portant description. The topographical survey of the Cherokee country, 
preliminary to the removal of the Cherokee Indians, the survey of the route 
for the proposed ship canal round the Falls of Niagara, a reconnoissance 
of the Canadas, at the time of the border troubles in 1837-38, when a rup¬ 
ture with Great Britain was threatened, were among the duties intrusted 
to him, which were performed with great credit to himself, and to the entire 
satisfaction of the government. A portion of his early military life, by 
consent of the government, was devoted to civil engineering, during which 
.time he was associate chief engineer of the contemplated railroad to con¬ 
nect Cincinnati, Ohio, with Charleston, South Carolina. The survey upon 
which this great scheme of internal improvement was based and com¬ 
menced, was in a great measure performed under his direction. For the 
last seven or eight years, up to a short time before the Mexican war, he 
was general superintendent of harbor constructions, and at the same 
time carried on a triangulation survey of the lakes. The latter, as is well 
known to those conversant with the subject, requires profound scientific 
attainments, and abilities of a high order. The occult nature of this branch 
of engineering precludes its general appreciation. On this account it is 
probable that a large portion of the community were but imperfectly aware 
of the delicacy of the operations, which for several seasons were carried 
on under his management, and the responsible nature of the undertaking. 
The archives of the department at Washington will show, to those who 
are qualified to judge, abundant evidences of the zeal and ability with 



CAPT. HENRY McKAVETT. 


133 


which this duty was discharged; possessing in an eminent degree that 
chivalrous disposition which seeks the most active and dangerous business. 

Upon the breaking out of the Mexican war, Capt. Williams solicited 
orders for the field. After the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, 
his request was granted. He joined the army at Matamoros, and accom¬ 
panied it to Monterey. Here it was decreed that his career of honor and 
usefulness should cease. The division to which he was attached had 
stormed and taken the outer batteries defending the point of the attack, 
and had penetrated within the streets of the city. Here they were exposed 
to a cruel fire from an enemy on each side, concealed from view, and with 
leisure and opportunity to give a murderous precision to their shots. 
Under such circumstances, so conspicuous a mark could not fail to in¬ 
duce a concentrated aim; and he must have been aware of the certainty 
that he was about to yield his life for his country. Too severely wounded 
to retire, he was left to die in the hands of the enemy. * * * 

His literary acquirements were of a high order, and his talent for painting 
would have ensured eminent success had he devoted himself exclusively 
to this line of effort. Such was his fondness for this branch of the fine 
arts, that he bestowed a large portion of his leisure to laborious applica¬ 
tion to it. The time which, in too many instances, is lost by inaction, or 
worse than wasted by ill-directed activity, he devoted to refined pursuits. 
He was interested in the National Academy of Design, was an honorary 
member of that institution, and its annual exhibitions always contained 
creditable productions from his pencil. In cultivating this elegant pur¬ 
suit, he was not a mere copyist, but aimed at the higher departments of 
the art. Many of his compositions, if we mistake not, would not do in¬ 
justice to artists of distinguished merit. 


CAPT. HENRY McKAVETT. 


EIGHTH INFANTRY. 


The lamented Captain McKavett, a native of New York, was an emi¬ 
nent example of what well-directed industry will accomplish, unaided by 
family influence or fortune. To the Orphan Asylum of New York city, 
he was indebted for his early education. By his intelligence, he attracted 
the attention of those who had the judgment and influence to obtain for 
him a commission at West Point, from which institution he graduated with 
honor, and was appointed a brevet second lieutenant in the Seventh In¬ 
fantry, on the 1st of July, 1834. 

In the battle of the 8th and 9th, Captain McKavett displayed great cool- 

M 



134 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY.* 


ness and judgment, and at Resaca de la Palma, distinguished himself in 
leading his company into action, in the brilliant charge made by Colonel 
Belknap. He fell at Monterey, at the head of his company, under peculiarly 
affecting circumstances, a cannon ball literally severing him in twain. He 
appeared to have had a presentiment of his death, as there was found in 
his trunk a will, of recent date, which displayed not only an anticipation 
of death, but also one of the noblest traits of the human mind, gratitude; 
for it gave to the early protectors of his childhood, the officers of the Or¬ 
phan Asylum, nearly all of his property, which was considerable. 

Captain McKavett wielded a felicitous pen ; many of his sketches of 
Mexico had a wide circulation through the press of the country, and were 
admired for their simplicity of style, charms of diction, and excellent spirit. 
An extract from his last epistle, is, perhaps, a proper conclusion to this 
imperfect notice of his excellent life and honorable death. In a letter to 
Colonel A. Hamilton, dated Seralvo, September 13, 1846, we have the fol¬ 
lowing paragraphs, remarkable for sound judgment, highly cultivated taste, 
and resignation to the apparently anticipated sad event that was to over¬ 
take him at Monterey. 

“We begin to see the trouble of moving an army in a foreign country. 
We are necessitated to look to Mexicans for assistance, not only in giving 
information of the country, but in furnishing the means of transportation, 
as well as the means of subsistence. The policy seems to be, to bribe the 
people by kindness. They declare they would rather have such a war 
than the peace they have been accustomed to ; for our army never disturbs 
them in their dwellings, and at the same time, by its wants and demands, 
fills their pockets; whereas, when a Mexican force passes through a town, 
notice is sent in advance, to have ready for them such things as they may 
call for. If not furnished, the town is plundered ; and they never think of 
paying for supplies thus furnished. On the other hand, if they find one 
individual in better circumstances than others, they compel him to pay 
tribute, or break into his premises. This deters many from seeking wealth, 
or, if they possess it, compels them to conceal it. 

“We are in sight of a beautiful range of mountains, a spur of the Sierra 
Madre. After travelling over flat tabie-iands for such a length of time, 
the sight of a mountain is very pleasant, and is a great relief from mo¬ 
notony. 

“We have the advantage of continued health; pure mountain springs 
furnish clear, cool water, and the atmosphere is pure. We learn that it is 
sickly on the Rio Grande, at Camargo and Matamoros, both of which 
places have no troops—we may therefore esteem ourselves fortunate in 
being marched to the interior, for now commences the season for sickness 



CAPT. GEORGE P. FIELD. 


135 


in the country, and especially along large water-courses. The mountains 
are said to be healthy the year round. 

“ Possibly, I may write you next from Monterey; but no one can foresee 
the result if our movement should be obstructed. 

“ Please remember me kindly to-, and believe me, 

“ Sincerely yours, 

“H. McKAVETT.” 

CAPT. GEORGE P. FIELD. 

THIRD INFANTRY. 

Capt. George P. Field, a native of Black Rock, New York, and one 
of the gallant officers of “ the Third,” who fell at Monterey, united within 
himself rare combinations of the qualities of the gentleman and soldier. 
With the kindest feelings and most generous sympathies, he was an excel¬ 
lent disciplinarian, and remarkably brave. In his youth, by his manliness 
of character, he attracted the attention of those who had the judgment to 
perceive his natural military talents, and power to obtain for him a place 
at West Point. The excellent qualities so promising in his youth, were 
all realized in his manhood; he endeared himself to his subordinates, and 
secured the love and respect of his equals and superiors. He graduated 
from the military academy, at the early age of nineteen years, and entered 
the army, in which he remained a distinguished ornament, until the day 
of his death in the assault on Monterey. 

Capt. Field was in Florida with his regiment, during the Seminole war, 
and although that service afforded no opportunity for brilliant achievement, 
yet it gave to Capt. Field a position to raise himself in the estimation of 
the army. His regiment being garrisoned at one of the south-western 
posts, it formed part of the command of Brig. Gen. Taylor, when he esta¬ 
blished himself at Corpus Christi. Capt. Field was in the battles of the 
8th and 9th, in both of which his regiment distinguished itself; his conduct 
in his last battle, was worthy of himself and his country. He died a sol¬ 
dier’s death, at the early age of thirty-three, his last breath being expended 
in cheering on his men to the charge. In the fond recollections of Capt. 
Field, so many of which cluster around his surviving friends, no one is 
iemembered with deeper pleasure, than that he ever acknowledged his re¬ 
liance upon the God of battles, and that his spirit, so suddenly called into 
eternity, was prepared for the message. 







136 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


k \WkVt < 


CAPT. RANDOLPH RIDGELY. 

THIRD ARTILLERY. 

The arrival of the melancholy news of the death of Captain Ridgely, 
caused a sensation throughout the United States, that was never before 
created by the demise of so young an officer. After escaping death in every 
variety of guise upon the battle-fields, to fall by an accident was a strange 
providence indeed, for none could ride a spirited steed with more grace, or 
manage one with more judgment or dexterity. On the evening of the 25th 
of October, 1846, Captain Ridgely was galloping along the streets of Mon¬ 
terey, when his horse lost his stride, blundered along for several yards, and 
finally fell, throwing his rider head first on a rock. He was taken up per¬ 
fectly insensible, and immediately conveyed to Capt. J. B. Scott’s quar¬ 
ters. He never regained his consciousness, and quietly breathed his last 
on the night of the 27th. The news of his death spread a gloom over the 
whole army; it was felt that one of the brightest of its lights had been 
extinguished. 

His funeral at Monterey was one of the most magnificent and strikingly 
melancholy pageants that was ever witnessed; all who were “ off duty” 
attended, to pay their last respects to the remains of the deceased soldier. 
The cortege was headed by his battery, four brass six-pounders. Then fol¬ 
lowed the corpse, wrapped in our national ensign, borne upon a gun-car¬ 
riage, dismantled of its piece and caisson ; four artillery officers walked on 
each side, acting as pall-bearers. Then came the dark roan steed, fully 
caparisoned, lead by two dragoons; in one of the stirrups was placed his 
military boot and spur; his sword, sash, and glove hung from the pummel. 

The Baltimore battalion, fellow-townsmen of Ridgely, next followed, 
without guns or side-arms, as chief mourners. The infantry officers below 
the grade of field-officers on foot, in order of rank and seniority, followed 
by the generals and field-officers, among which were Generals Taylor, 
Worth, Twiggs, Smith, Quitman, and Hahier. Then came a long line of 
subalterns in rich uniforms, mounted upon splendid horses. 

As the procession moved along, dark clouds hung sullenly over the 
mountain-tops, and cold mists swept through the valleys. Nature seemed 
to sympathize with the sorrow exhibited for the departed hero. The pro¬ 
cession halted in the rear of General Taylor’s marquee, in the beautiful 
grove of St. Domingo, where the corpse of the unfortunate soldier was to 
be deposited in its last resting-place. Colonel Childs read the burial ser¬ 
vice of the Episcopal church, after which a gun was fired three times, 
and cat th was rendered to earth and ashes to ashes, and the grave 


CAPT. R. A. GILLESPIE. 


137 


closed upon one of the most manly forms, once the abode of the noblest 
spirit that ever lived.* 

In his person, Captain Ridgely was extremely delicate; his features, in 
spite of exposure to camp life, were soft, and resembled those of the se¬ 
cluded scholar rather than a hero of three battle-fields. His hair was light 
and abundant. His eye was remarkably fine in appearance, and of great 
natural strength; from long experience he could trace a ball or shell, which 
to others was invisible, through the air with great accuracy. Altogether, 
Randolph Ridgely was favored by nature and fortune, and belonged to a 
superior class of men. 

In the hour of battle, Ridgely was perfectly self-possessed. His generous 
bravery in the battle of Resaca de la Palma, where he said, “Wait, Char¬ 
ley, until I draw their fire,” will ever be an immortal record of the fearless¬ 
ness of his soul, and of his consideration. In the midst of the severest 
cannonading, while the shot and shell flew around his pieces like hail, he 
often sprang upon the carriage, and with a spy-glass minutely watched the 
effect of his own discharges upon the ranks of the enemy. He expressed 
pleasure in the liveliest manner if he found he was doing execution, or if 
the enemj'-’s shot fell short or missed their aim. 

Captain Ridgely graduated from West Point, in 1837, and was appointed 
a second lieutenant in the Third Artillery on the 1st of July of that year. 
For his gallantry in the action of the 9th of May, he was brevetted captain, 
and appointed an assistant adjutant-general. - The latter appointment he ac¬ 
cepted, the brevet he declined, because he thought he was equally entitled 
to the same honor for his conduct on the 5th. His education in military 
matters was singularly thorough; he was a favorite pupil of Ringgold, and 
occupied his place after that officer fell at Palo Alto. His acquirements, 
aside from his profession, were extensive; his manners were polished, and 
his address that of a most perfect gentlemen. 

CAPT. R. A. GILLESPIE. 

TEXAN RANGERS. 

Captain Gillespie was an extraordinary character, and his life is most 
worthy of contemplation. General Henderson, who knew him intimately 

* The want of clergymen was most severely felt at Monterey, and elsewhere 
in Mexico; we have been informed that by a curious absurdity in the law, the 
chaplains of the army are not obliged to leave the barracks where they are sta¬ 
tioned, to follow the army, hence our forces in Mexico are without ministers. 
The impropriety of this will strike the most superficial observer and thinker. 

M 2 






13d 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY 


well, in the details of his official despatches, seems to have forgotten lor 
the moment the usual form of such documents, and breaks out in the fol¬ 
lowing eloquent tribute to his memory. 

“In doing justice to the living, let us not be forgetful of the dead. 
Among the fallen in my command, we have been called upon to mourn 
the fate of a young officer who was the brightest ornament of the service, 
the soul of honor, and the pride of chivalry. He had long been employed 
by the government of Texas in defence of the western frontier, as the com¬ 
mander of a corps of mounted rangers, and probably no officer ever per¬ 
formed his duty with more activity and efficiency, or with more satisfac¬ 
tion to the country. He possessed nothing of the rough habits, ignorance, 
and presuming forwardness which is usually supposed to attach to the 
frontier soldier. He was an educated man, and a gentleman by nature; 
quiet in his manners, amiable in temper, just in his dealings, and strictly 
moral in his habits. During his connection with the present campaign, 
his deportment was such—so marked by a happy union of modesty with 
bravery, and dignity with obedience—as to win the hearts of all and con¬ 
stitute him the chief favorite of the army. He followed the fortunes of 
General Worth, shared in all the dangers of the command, and closed his 
brilliant career amidst the shouts of victory. Though feeble in frame, the 
inspiring energies of his mind enabled him to keep in advance of his com¬ 
rades, so that in the storming of the Bishop’s Hill, he was the foremost 
man and the first victim upon the ramparts of the foe. He was buried 
where he fell—upon the loftiest summit—and the mountain that encloses 
his remains will stand an eternal monument of his glory—it will be known 
in history, and long frequented by his grateful countrymen as the grave 
of Gillespie.” 

These high encomiums upon the brave dead are strictly true, and with 
the bold sketches of a master, let us into the singular and exemplary cha- 
. racter of the brave Gillespie. 

Captain Gillespie -was a native of Blount county, Tennessee. He 
moved to Morgan county, Alabama, in the year 1831. In the fall of 1837 he 
moved to Texas, where he commenced mercantile pursuits. He followed 
his quiet business for nearly two years, when his mind was suddenly di¬ 
verted from it by a report reaching Texas, that the northern provinces of 
Mexico had federated together for the purpose of throwing offi the yoke of 
the central government. No opportunity occurred in the excitement of that 
attempted revolution that justified the incipient hero to engage in it, but his 
mind seemed to have obtained an impulse that demanded a more stirring 
life than he had heretofore pursued. The Camanche Indians disturbing 
the frontiers of his adopted state, he was elected to a first lieutenancy by 


LIEUT. CHARLES HOSKINS. 


139 


the daring spirits who, under Capt. Hays, organized to punish Indian de¬ 
predations. Here it was that Gillespie first distinguished himself as a 
leader. 

Upon hostilities breaking out between our country and Mexico, Capt. 
Gillespie visited Gen. Taylor’s head-quarters, requesting permission to 
join the army under his command, then moving towards Monterey, and 
that he might be engaged in active service. Gen. Taylor at once appre¬ 
ciated the merits of Capt. Gillespie, granted his request, and he received 
orders to march with his company from San Antonio to Camargo by way 
of Loredo and Mier. After the main army reached Camargo, Capt. Gilles¬ 
pie’s company of Bexur rangers were kept in constant and active service 
as scouts or spies. On their march from Camargo to Monterey, this com¬ 
pany was divided into squads of three or four men each, and furnished 
scouts and spies for the whole advancing army, till they arrived within 
about nine miles of Monterey, where the company again formed, and at- 
tached to Gen. Worth’s division with the first regiment of Texas mounted 
rangers, under command of John C. Hays. 

Capt. Gillespie’s conduct at Monterey is an animated record pf his life 
and death, and as long as the lofty summit where he sleeps rears its head 
in the clouds, so long will Gillespie be remembered by those who appre¬ 
ciate brave deeds, and a sacrifice of life for the honor of their native land. 1 * 

LIEUT. CHARLES HOSKINS. 

FOURTH INFANTRY. 

There is something remarkably interesting in the reminiscences of the 
life of the young officer named above, as given by his brother officers; his 

* Beside Gillespie is buried the “brave Thomas,” of Maryland; of him we 
find the following tribute, addressed to a gentleman living in Baltimore:’ 

Dragoon Camp, near Monterey , Mexico , Sept. 2 6th, 1846. 

It is a sad and painful duty I have to perform, in announcing to you the death 
of your father’s young friend, Mr. William Thomas, of your state. We have 
had hard fighting for the last three days, and he was mortally wounded in a 
charge against the enemy’s cavalry. He behaved most gallantly, and fell in the 
front of the battle. 

Yesterday he died, but retained his senses until the last. He was a gallant 
fellow, and is much regretted. You can say this to his friends, that he had 
every attention. I was not present when he expired, but was absent on duty. 
He was buried with military honors. Many gallant spirits have gone out in tho 
last three days. Yours, CHARLES MAY 



140 OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 



memory seems to be cherished with singular affection. We find fortu¬ 
nately prepared by some warm friend, an obituary notice of the hero, which 
we adopt, grateful that the task has been so well, so eloquently performed. 


“ Lieut. Hoskins was a native of Edenton, N. C. He graduated at 
the Military Academy, in 1836, and immediately joined his company in 
the Cherokee Nation. In various capacities, but particularly as quarter¬ 
master, preceding and during the Cherokee difficulties, he won the appro¬ 
bation and entire confidence of his successive commanders, Generals Wool 
and Scott. And on the departure of the Indians and the troops, he dis¬ 
posed of the public property and closed the affairs of government in that 
country—a responsible trust executed with judgment and ability. In 1839 
he moved with the regiment to Fort Gibson, Arkansas, and discharged his 
multiplied staff duties in such a manner as to elicit tokens of admiration 
from his commanding officers—and, harder task, to the satisfaction of all 
with whom he came in contact. He was commissary, and occasionally 
quartermaster at this post nearly three years, during the station of his 
regiment, and by his mildness of disposition, and urbanity, of manner, 
gained the attachment of his inferiors, while his correct and efficient per¬ 
formance of duty secured the respect of his superiors in command. Nearly 
all his family had died of consumption, and his appearance at that time 
indicating that he would prove a victim to the same disease, was a con¬ 
stant source of apprehension; and he resolved, with the hope of averting 
it, to shun sedentary occupation and lead an active life. Joined by several 
of his comrades—the lamented Porter among them—he employed all his 
leisure in the manly exercise of the chase, an amusement as becoming to 
the daring and gallantry of the officer, as the grosser sensual excesses are 
demoralizing and destructive. He abandoned books and the house, for the 
free air and high excitement of the prairies, and became a skilful and fear¬ 
less horseman, with scarce a superior in the army. The Sporting Maga¬ 
zine is the record of many of his feats, though not blazoned with his name. 
His memory will long be cherished in the spot of his hardy sports and 
miniature victories. 

“ His regiment made a tour in Florida in the winter of 1841. He met no 
opportunity for distinction. Few had better fortune in Florida. It was a 
war and a country to lose rather than gain reputation. In the following 
summer he marched to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and eagerly sought the 
same field of recreation to which he had grown accustomed, and whose 
excitement he keenly relished. Ere long he was transferred to a com¬ 
pany stationed at Fort Scott, Mo., where, surrounded by prairies and with 
ample leisure from duty, his wish was indulged. While at the barracks, 
he became attached and betrothed to an accomplished and amiable lady. 



LIEUT. CHARLES HOSKINS. 


141 


residing at Potosi, Mo. To consummate this union, he obtained the only 
leave of absence—excepting for a short buffalo excursion in 1841—that he 
asked for during an active service of more than ten years. He was indeed 
all the soldier. The home of his youth made desolate by the fell destroyer 
which sweeps off families in a season, his regiment was his only home— 
its officers his kindred. His wife returned with him to Fort Scott, and he 
was happily enjoying the choicest blessings which life could afford, when 
the Mexican difficulty carried his regiment to Corpus Christi, in 1845, and 
separated him from his family for ever. He was here made the adjutant, 
and held this important post in the memorable actions of the 8th and 9th 
of May. Major Allen, commanding the regiment, complimented his cool¬ 
ness, efficiency, and gallant bearing. He rendered valuable services, but 
his position, or adverse fate, prevented his achieving any brilliant distinc¬ 
tion. If fortune ever exerts influence in the affairs of mortals, it is on the 
field of battle. The bravest may not always perform heroic deeds, nor 
profound skill guard against ever-varying circumstances impossible to 
foresee, nor the loftiest genius always detect the crisis and improve it. 
Even the combination of these, which constitutes the great captain, can¬ 
not insure success. Chance has her dominion and wields a capricious 
sceptre, in spite, sometimes, of human reason and superhuman effort. 
Lieut. Hoskins was still the adjutant at Monterey. 

“ His regiment was posted on the night of the 20th September, to cover a 
mortar battery established in a hollow, within range of the fire from the 
Mexican citadel, and was more or less exposed all night. On the follow¬ 
ing morning it was directed to storm a fort on the left, and at the outskirts 
of the town. Three companies, numbering only a hundred men—a forlorn 
hope—advanced to the charge, directly in front of the work. Three batteries, 
the fire from the citadel, and the small arms of two thousand men, opened 
upon this slender column. At its head marched its brave and modest 
commander Major Allen, (now of the Second Infantry,) who had led the 
regiment in the battles in May; Lieut. Hoskins and Lieut. Graham, since 
dead. When within a hundred yards, the fire became terribly destructive; 
Lieut. Hoskins was shot through the heart from an escopet, and died with¬ 
out uttering a word. His arm stiffened with a finger pointing to his? 
wound. He had a presentiment of his death. Lieuts. Graham and Woods, 
and thirty-five men, more than one-third the entire number, fell at the same 
moment. The wonder is, that a single man survived to approach so near, 
yet Major Allen and the remainder passed to within thirty feet of the wall 
before withdrawing for reinforcement. 

“ Lieut. Hoskins was one of those rare men whom to know is to love; 
not by easy temper and ready disposition to unite with any party and 



OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


142 

adopt any opinion to secure favor, but by the possession of the most ster¬ 
ling positive qualities. His courage was as “true as steel,” as occasion 
had amply tested. His generosity had no limit; it was as lavish as the 
sun of his rays, and proceeded from a heart overflowing with kindness. 
His frankness scorned the subterfuges of deceit, and prompted to the bold 
avowal of his convictions of propriety or right. His nature was truly 
chivalric, comprehending the instinctive sense of honour and punctilious 
observance of all its precepts, which mark the hero. His intellect was 
quick, penetrating, grasping; he read character at a glance, and his judg¬ 
ment was almost unerring. As an officer, he was faithful, judicious, ener¬ 
getic, and enlightened; as a friend, affectionate, and true, even to any 
sacrifice. He had no enemies. In all, no man ever possessed in greater 
perfection some of the highest traits of human character; and blended as 
these were, with modest demeanor, unassuming manners, shrinking from 
notoriety, and utterly devoid of the vanity and selfishness fruitful of ill 
will and disliked by one’s comrades—they were the more conspicuous and 
the more prized. His associates paid him the spontaneous homage of 
their admiration and affection. If not the master spirit, he contributed 
materially in giving tone to the circle in which he moved. Its influence 
was not confined to his regiment. 

“ In figure he was tall and slender—a face remarkable for beauty and 
intelligence—an eye, black, sparkling, and piercing, was expressive of 
his character, and can never be forgotten by those who have seen it under 
the various phases of his feelings. He was in his thirty-third year. He 
has left a widow and an orphan son whom he never saw—not like the 
relicts of many deceased officers, subject to the fruitless sympathy of the 
world, or dependent on the pitiful charity of a parsimonious government, 
but in affluent circumstances. 

“ Peace to his ashes; the tomb never closed upon a nobler spirit.” 

LIEUT. R. H. GRAHAM. 

FOURTH INFANTRY. 

Lieut. Richard Hill Graham, of the Fourth regiment U. S. Infantry, 
was the third son of the Hon. John Graham, and was born in Washington, 
District of Columbia, in the year 1818. A few months after his birth, he 
had the misfortune to lose his father, who fell a victim to the effects of the 
climate of Brazil, whither he was sent by President Monroe, as minister 
plenipotentiary and ambassador extraordinary to the Portuguese court, 
then held in Brazil by the sovereign Don John. Deprived thus, in his in- 


LIEUT; R. H. GRAHAM. 


143 


fancy, of the superintending care of a parent, (who was the intimate friend 
of Presidents Madison and Monroe, and had successively filled many high 
offices of trust,) young Graham received his first education in the primary 
schools of Washington city, and at a suitable age was placed in the Ca¬ 
tholic college at Emmetsburg, Maryland. He subsequently entered the 
Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in July, 1838. Upon 
receiving his appointment as second lieutenant of Second Dragoons, he 
immediately joined Gen. Scott, then in active service in Georgia, where 
his urbane manner and soldierly deportment won for him the entire appro¬ 
bation and the personal esteem of that distinguished chief. Transferred 
subsequently, at his own request, in the hope of more rapid promotion, to 
the infantry arm, he was selected by Brig. Gen. Atkinson, as his aid-de- 
camp, and continued to serve with credit in his military family, until the 
death of that gallant and lamented soldier; after which, with the permis¬ 
sion and approbation of the War Department, he, with Lieut. Sidney 
Smith, accompanied Sir William Drummond Stuart, on one of his excur¬ 
sions to the Rocky Mountains. Returning from that expedition, (the report 
of which will be found on the files of the War Office,) Lieut. Graham 
joined his regiment, which he ever delighted to speak of as “ The old 
Fourth,” and in which he continued to serve assiduously, and to the entire 
satisfaction of all his superior officers. 

By the absence of Capt. Alden on other duties, Lieut Graham was, and 
had been a long time, in command of his company. During the night, the 
dismal, dark and rainy one of the 20th of September, his regiment was 
stationed on the plain in front of Monterey, to guard the mortar and howit¬ 
zer batteries, and without returning to camp, marched on the following morn¬ 
ing, from that station, to the attack on the town. 

The charge upon fort No. 1, made by a portion of the Fourth regiment, 
in which Lieut. Graham fell, presented the extraordinary spectacle of less 
than one hundred men coolly assaulting a strong work, a single discharge 
of which struck down “ nearly one-third” of the command. 

In this charge, Lieut. Graham was particularly conspicuous. In 
the language of the regimental report, he was “ in advance of the regi- 
vient , waving his sword over his head , and calling on the men to follow him.” 
While thus gloriously sustaining himself, he fell, having received three 
terribly severe wounds at the same instant. Surrounded by the wounded 
and dead, among the latter of which were the noble Woods, his brave or¬ 
derly Manegen, and ten men of his company, Lieut. Graham lay from ten 
o’clock in the morning until late in the afternoon, when it being discovered 
that he was not dead, as was supposed, he was brought into camp by the 
sorrowing survivors of his company, and his wounds were dressed by 



144 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Surgeon Mills, after night. On the second day after the capitulation of 
Monterey, he was removed into the city, where, by the direction of Gen. 
Taylor, quarters had been procured for him, in the house of a kind-hearted 
Mexican, Don Bias de Castano, from whom and whose family he received 
the most assiduous care and attention, and where he lingered in great pain, 
until the 12th of October, when he breathed his last. During the second 
week of his illness, hopes were entertained of his recovery, for which the 
most anxious solicitude was manifested by all the army, from the General 
commanding-in-chief, who repeatedly visited him, to the private in the 
ranks. On his death being known, the liveliest sorrow was evinced, and 
his regiment expressed a wish that he might be buried at its expense. To 
this request, his relatives, Capt. G. D. Ramsay, of the Ordnance Corps, and 
Capt. G. M. Graham, of the Louisiana Volunteers, then acting as aid-de- 
camp to Col. Garland, did not think it right to accede. 

The body, shrouded in the national and regimental banners, was borne 
to the grave, on an artillery caisson carriage. Major Brown and Capt. 
C. F. Smith, of the artillery battalion, Captains Scriven and Bomford, 
Eighth Infantry, Lieut. Markatt, First Artillery, and Lieut. Holloway, Eighth 
Infantry, acted as pall-bearers, followed by Major Graham, Captains Ram¬ 
say and G. M. Graham, and all the Fourth Infantry as mourners, with a 
long procession of officers, among whom were the general-in-chief and 
his staff. The excellent Don Bias and his sons walked, reverentially 
and uncovered, beside the hearse. The body was placed, amid the 
solemn ceremonies of the Catholic church, Rev. Mr. Rey officiating as 
priest, in one of the vaults of the cemetery of Monterey. The military 
escort, commanded by his friend Lieut. Sidney Smith, paid the last ho¬ 
nors to their comrade, and consigned him to a soldier’s grave. 

From the soil of Mexico, it has been transferred, with the other storied 
dead, to its natal clime, and in compliance with the religious feelings* of 
his surviving parent, placed under the altar of St. Patrick’s church, in 
Washington city, where it rests beside the mortal remains of many mem¬ 
bers of his family. 

Lieut. Graham was of a fine and commanding personal appearance, being 
a little over six feet in height, and very well proportioned; his eyes and hair 
were dark; his countenance was frank and manly, and in it his noble and 
generous nature was strongly portrayed. 


LIEUTENANTS IRWIN AND WOODS. 


145 


LIEUT. D. S. IRWIN. 

THIRD INFANTRY. 

Appointed to the Military Academy from the District of Columbia. He 
received the commission of brevet second lieutenant, Sixth Infantry, the 
1st of July, 1840. In the month of November following, he received the 
commission of second lieutenant in the Third Infantry, and was created 
a first lieutenant by brevet the 7th of September, 1841, and adjutant of his 
regiment. 

Lieut. Irwin was^ an honor to the service, and his good conduct at the 
battles of the 7th, 8th, and 9th, caused him to be looked upon as one of the 
most promising young officers of our army. He fell gallantly at the head 
of his command before the city of Monterey. 

LIEUT. J. S. WOODS. 

SECOND INFANTRY. 

The approach, at the moment unsupported, of a fragment of the Fourth 
Infantry upon the front of fort “ Tienera,” was one of the most daring 
things recorded in military history; nearly one-third of the whole command 
fell when the fire from the fort opened upon it. Among the dead and mor 
tally wounded were Graham, Hoskins, and Woods, a trio as brilliant as 
could, by selection, be associated together in our whole army. 

Lieut. J. S. Woods, as a brevet second lieutenant, attracted universal 
attention for his singularly brave conduct at Resaca de la Palma; imme¬ 
diately after that battle his conduct was a theme of universal commenda¬ 
tion among all ranks of the army. Gen. Twiggs, in his official despatch 
of that battle, says, “Lieut. Hays and Woods captured a piece of artillery 
defended by one hundred and fifty or two hundred, with but a few men.” 
In this brilliant achievement, Lieut. Woods sprang to the hand-spikes, and 
turned the piece in such a direction as to lock one of the wheels against a 
tree. A large number of the enemy’s cavalry then came to the rescue, who 
were driven off by Major Barbour, of the Third. 

At the commencement of the battle of Monterey, no one showed more 
zeal and intense desire to engage in the conflict than young Woods, and 
he fell leading a forlorn hope. Speaking of his death, though so young, 
his commander was justified in calling him “the distinguished Woods.” 

Lieut. J. S. Woods was a native of Pennsylvania, graduated from the 
Military Academy at West Point, and was made a brevet second lieutenan 
on the 1st of July, 1844, and appointed to the Fourth Regiment of infantry 
N 10 


146 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Among our noble dead who have fallen in the Mexican war, perhaps none 
have died younger. Of his age none were more distinguished in our bril¬ 
liant national military history. 


LIEUT. JOHN C. TERRETT. 

FIRST INFANTRY. 

Appointed to the army, from Virginia, a second lieutenant, First Regi¬ 
ment of Infantry, on the 16th of November, 1839. Lieut. Terrett was the 
first officer that fell before Monterey. 

LIEUT. R. HAZLITT. 

THIRD INFANTRY. 

Appointed from New York to the Military Academy at West Point. 
Appointed brevet second lieutenant in the Third Infantry, on the 3d of 
November, 1845. 

LIEUT. R. DILWORTH. 

FIRST INFANTRY. 

Appointed to the Military Academy at West Point from the state of 
Ohio. Commissioned a brevet second lieutenant, in the First Regiment of 
Infantry, the 20th of August, 1844. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS 

RELATING- TO THE 

ASSAULT ON MONTEREY. 


Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp near Monterey, Sept. 27, 1846. 

The Commanding General has the satisfaction to congratulate the army 
under his command upon another signal triumph over the Mexican forces. 
Superior to us in number, strongly fortified, and with an immense prepon¬ 
derance of artillery, they have yet been driven from point to point until 
forced to sue for terms of capitulation. Such terms have been granted as 
were considered due to the gallant defence of the town and to the liberal 
policy of our own government. 

The General begs to return his thanks to his commanders and to all his 
officers and men, both of the Regular and Volunteer forces, for the skill, the 
courage, and the perseverance with which they have overcome manifold 
difficulties, and finally achieved a victory shedding lustre upon the Ameri¬ 
can arms. 

A great result has been obtained, but not without the loss of many gal¬ 
lant and accomplished officers and brave men. The army and the country 
will deeply sympathize with the families and friends of those who have 
thus sealed their devotion with their lives. 

By order of Major General Taylor, 

(Signed) W. W. S. BLISS, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

Official: 

Geo. A. McCall, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp before Monterey, Sept. 22, 1846. 

Sir, —I have the honor to report that the troops under my command, in¬ 
cluding the mounted volunteers from Texas, marched from Marin on the 
18th and encamped before Monterey on the 19th inst. It was immediately 

147 



148 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


discovered that the enemy occupied the town in force, and had added 
greatly to its strength by fortifying the approaches and commanding 
heights. A close reconnoissance was made by the officers of engineers 
and topographical engineers on both flanks of the town, and it was deter¬ 
mined, from the information procured, to occupy the Saltillo road in rear 
of the town, carrying, if practicable, the several fortified eminences in that 
direction. The second division of regular troops and a portion of Col. 
Hay’s regiment of mounted volunteers was accordingly detached under 
Brig. Gen. Worth on this service, at noon on the 20th. A ten-inch mortar 
and two twenty-four-pounder howitzers were placed in battery during the 
night to play upon the citadel and town. At seven o’clock these guns 
opened and continued a deliberate fire, which was returned. To create a 
still further diversion in favor of Gen. Worth’s movement, the remainder 
of the force, except the camp guard, was displayed around the centre and 
left of the town. The infantry and one battery of the first division made 
a strong demonstration on the left, and soon became so closely engaged 
that I moved forward the Volunteer division under Maj. Gen. Butler to its 
support, leaving one battalion (first Kentucky) to cover the mortar battery. 
A close contest then ensued, which resulted in the capture of one strong 
battery of four guns, which, with some adjacent defences, our troops now 
occupy. A garrison was left to hold this position, and the remainder of 
the force returned to camp. 

In the mean time, Gen. Worth had engaged the enemy early in the morn 
ing, and defeated him with considerable loss. In the course of the day, 
two of the'batteries in the rear of the town were carried by storming parties 
of the Second Division, and a third was carried this morning at dawn of 
day. The Bishop’s palace occupied the only remaining height in rear of 
the town, and is completely commanded by the works already carried. 
Gen. Worth’s division occupies the Saltillo road, and cuts off all succor or 
support from the interior. I must reserve a more minute report of the 
important operations of yesterday until those of the different commanders 
are rendered, and also until a topographical sketch of the country can be 
prepared. 

I regret to report that our successes have not been obtained without 
severe loss, to be attributed in a good measure to the ardor of the troops in 
pressing forward. No returns of killed and wounded have yet been re¬ 
ceived, nor is it known what corps of Gen. Worth’s division has suf¬ 
fered most. In the other portions of the army the First, Third, and Fourth 
regiments of Infantry, and the regiment of Tennessee volunteers have sus¬ 
tained the greatest loss. The following is believed to be an accurate list 
of the officers killed and wounded. 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


149 


KILLED. 

Second Infantry. —Brevet First Lieut. J. S. Woods, (serving with First 
Infantry.) 

Third Infantry. —Capt. L. N. Morris, Capt. G. P. Field, Brevet Major P. N. 
Barbour, First Lieut, and Adjt. D. S. Irwin, Second Lieut. R. Hazlitt. 

Fourth Infantry. —First Lieut, and Adjt. C. Hoskins. 

Eighth Infantry. —Capt. H. McKavett. 

Maryland and Washington Battalion Volunteers. —Lieut. Col. W. H. Watson. 

VOLUNTEER DIVISION. 

Ohio Regiment. —First Lieut. M. Hett. 

Tennessee Regiment. —Capt. W. B. Allen, Lieut. S. M. Putnam. 

WOUNDED. 

Corps of Engineers. —Brevet Major J. K. T. Mansfield, slightly. 

Corps of Topographical Engineers. —Capt. W. G. Williams, (in the hands 
of the enemy.) 

First Infantry. —Brevet Major J. L. Abercrombie, slightly; Capt. J. H. 
Lamotte, severely; First Lieut. J. C. Terrett, in the hands of the enemy 
Second Lieut. R. Dilworth, severely. 

Third Infantry. —Major W. W. Lear, severely; Capt. H. Bainbridge, 
slightly. 

Fourth Infantry. —First Lieutenant R. H. Graham, severely. 

Fifth Infantry. —First Lieutenant N. B. Rossell, slightly. 

Seventh Infantry. —Second Lieut. J. H. Potter, severely. 

Eighth Infantry. —Second Lieut. George Wainwright, severely. 

VOLUNTEER DIVISION. 

General Staff. —Major General W. O. Butler, slightly. 

Ohio Regiment. —Col. A. M. Mitchell, slightly; Capt. James George, 
slightly; First Lieut, and Adjt. A. W. Armstrong, very severely; First 
Lieut. N. Niles, severely; First Lieut. L. Motter, slightly. 

Mississippi Regiment. —Lieut. Col. A. H. McClung, severely; Capt. R. N. 
Downing, slightly; First Lieut. F. H. Cook, slightly; Second Lieut. R. K. 
Arthur, slightly. 

DIVISION OF TEXAS MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS. 

First Regiment. —Capt. R. A.’Gillespie, mortally. 

I need hardly add, that the conduct of our troops, both Regulars and 
Volunteers, throughout the operations, has been every thing that could be 
desired. The part which each corps contributed to the successes of the 
day will appear more fully in future reports. To Major Generals Butler 
and Henderson, Brigadier Generals Twiggs and Worth, commanding divi- 

N 2 




150 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


sions, I must express my obligations for the efficient support which they 
have rendered—particularly so to Brigadier Gen. Worth, whose services, 
from his detached position, have been most conspicuous. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 


Major Gen. U. S. A. commanding 
The Adjutant General of the Army, 

Washington, D. C. 


Head-uuarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp before Monterey, Sept. 23, 1846. 

Sir :—I have the gratification to report that the Bishop’s palace was 
gallantly carried yesterday, by the troops of the Second Division. In the 
course of the night, the batteries below the town were, with one exception, 
abandoned by the enemy, and this morning were occupied by our troops. 
To-day the Third Infantry, with the field artillery of the First Division, the 
Mississippi and Tennessee regiments, and the Second regiment of Texas 
riflemen, (dismounted,) have been warmly engaged with the enemy in the 
town, and have driven him with considerable loss to the plaza and its 
vicinity, which is yet strongly occupied. A portion of the Second Division 
has also advanced into the town on the right, and holds a position there. 
The enemy still maintains himself in the plaza and citadel, and seems de¬ 
termined to make a stubborn resistance. 

I am particularly gratified to report that our successes of yesterday and 
to-day, though disastrous to the enemy, have been achieved without mate¬ 
rial loss. 

I cannot speak in too high terms of the gallantry and perseverance of 
our troops throughout the arduous operations of the last three days. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major General U. S. A. Com. 

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. 

* • 

Head-qjjarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp before Monterey, Sept. 25, 1846. 

Sir :—At noon on the 23d inst., while our troops were closely engaged 
in the lower part of the city, as reported in my last despatch, I received 
by a flag, a communication from the governor of the state of New Leon, 
which is herewith enclosed, (No. 1.) To this communication I deemed it 
my duty to return an answer, declining to allow the inhabitants to leave 





DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


151 


the city. By 11 o’clock, p. m., the Second Division, which had entered the 
town from the direction of the Bishop’s palace, had advanced within one 
square of the principal plaza, and occupied the city up to that point. The 
mortar had, in the mean time, been placed in battery in the cemetery, within 
good range of the heart of the town, and was served throughout the night 
■with good effect. 

Early in the morning of the 24th, I received a flag from the town, bear¬ 
ing a communication from Gen. Ampudia, which I enclose, (No. 2;) and 
to which I returned the answer, (No. 3.) I also arranged with the bearer 
of the flag a cessation of fire, until 12 o’clock, which hour I appointed to 
receive the final answer of General Ampudia at Gen. Worth’s head-quar¬ 
ters. Before the appointed time, however, Gen. Ampudia had signified to 
Gen. Worth his desire for a personal interview with me, for ihe purpose 
of making some definitive arrangement. An interview was accordingly 
appointed for one o’clock, and resulted in the naming of a commission to 
draw up articles of agreement regulating the withdrawing of the Mexican 
forces, and a temporary cessation of hostilities. The commissioners 
named by the Mexican General-in-chief, were Generals Ortega and Re- 
quena, and Don Manuel M. Llano, Governor of New Leon. Those named 
on the American side, were Gen. Worth, Gen. Henderson, Governor of 
Texas, and Col. Davis, Mississippi Volunteers. The commission finally 
settled upon the articles, of which I enclose a copy, (No. 4,) the duplicates 
of which, (in Spanish and English,) have been duly signed. Agreeably 
to the provisions of the fourth article, our troops have this morning occu¬ 
pied the citadel. 

It will be seen that the terms granted the Mexican garrison are less 
rigorous than those first imposed. The gallant defence of the town, and 
the fact of a recent change of government in Mexico, believed to be favor¬ 
able to the interests of peace, induced me to concur with the commission 
in these terms, which will, I trust, receive the approval of the government. 
The latter consideration also prompted the convention for a temporary 
cessation of hostilities. Though scarcely warranted by my instructions, 
yet the change of affairs since those instructions were issued, seemed to 
warrant this course. I beg to be advised, as early as practicable, whether 
I have met the views of the government in these particulars. 

I regret to report that Capt. Williams, Topographical Engineers, and 
Lieut. Terrett, First Infantry, have died of the wounds received in the en¬ 
gagement of the 21st. Capt. Gatlin, Seventh Infantry, was wounded (not 
badly) on the 23d. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. S. Army, commanding . 
The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington , D . C. 




152 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY". 


(No. 1.) 

D. Franco De P. Morales, Governor of New Leon, to Major General Taylor. 

(Translated.) 

Monterey, Sept. 26, 8 o’clock, a. m. 

As you are resolved to occupy the place by force of arms, and the Mex¬ 
ican General-in-chief resolved to defend it at every cost, as his honor and 
duty require him to do, thousands of victims, who, from indigence and 
want of means, find themselves now in the theatre of war, and who would 
be uselessly sacrificed, claim the right, which in all times, and all coun¬ 
tries, humanity extends. As Governor of the State, and a legitimate repre¬ 
sentative of the people, I state their case to you, and hope from your civi¬ 
lization and refinement, that whatever may be the event of the present 
contest, you will issue orders that families shall be respected, or will grant 
a reasonable time for them to leave the capital. 

I have the honor to salute you General-in-chief of the Army of Occupa¬ 
tion of the United States, and to assure you of my highest consideration. 
God and liberty. 

FRANCO DE P. MORALES. 

General-in-chief of the Army of Occupation U. S. 


General Taylor answered this note as follows: 

The communication of your Excellency, of this morning, I have just 
received, and in answer to your Excellency, I have to inform you that the 
rights of individuals, who are not hostile, particularly women and children, 
will be respected as much as is possible in a state of warlike operations— 
but they cannot be permitted to leave the city. The advantages achieved 
by the American arms are too decisive to permit of any other terms than 
the capitulation of the city; and the sooner this is effected the better for 
those interested. 

With consideration and respect, your excellency’s obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR. 


(No. 2.) 

D. Pedro Ampudia, General-in-chief, to- Major Gen. Taylor. 

(Translated.) 

Head-Quarters at Monterey, 

Sept. 23, 1846, 9 o’clock, P. M. 

Sector Major General: —Having made the defence of which I believe 
this city susceptible, I have fulfilled my duty, and have satisfied that mili- 





DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


153 


tary honor which, in a certain manner, is common to all armies of the 
civilized world. 

To prosecute the defence, therefore, would only result in distress to the 
population, who have already suffered enough from the misfortunes con¬ 
sequent on war; and taking it for granted, that the American government 
has manifested a disposition to negotiate, I propose to evacuate the city 
and its fort, taking with me the pcrsonelle and materielle which have re¬ 
mained, and under the assurance that no harm shall ensue to the inhabit¬ 
ants who have taken a part in the defence. 

Be pleased to accept the assurance of my most distinguished consider¬ 
ation. PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 

To Senior Don Z. Taylor, 

General-in-chief of the American Army. 


(No. 3.) 

Head-q.uarters, Army of Occupation, 

Camp before Monterey, Sept. 24, 1846. 

Sir: —Your communication, bearing date at 9 o’clock, r. m., on the 
23d inst, has just been received by the hands of Col. Moreno. 

In answer to your proposition to evacuate the city and fort, with all the 
personal and material of war, I have to state that my duty compels me to 
decline acceding to it. A complete surrender of the town and garrrison, 
the latter as prisoners of war, is now demanded. But such surrender will 
be upon terms, and the gallant defence of the place, creditable alike to the 
Mexican troops and nation, will prompt me to make these terms as liberal 
as possible. The garrison will be allowed, at your option, after laying 
down its arms, to retire to the interior, on condition of not serving again 
during the war, or until regularly exchanged. I need hardly say, that the 
rights of non-combatants will be respected. 

An answer to this communication is required by 12 o’clock. If you 
assent to an accommodation, an officer will be despatched at once, under 
instructions to arrange the conditions. * 

I am, sir, veiy respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 

Major Gen. U. S. A. Commanding. 

Senior D. Pedro de Ampudta, 

General-in-chief, Monterey. 



154 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY 


(No. 4.) 

Terms of capitulation of the city of Monterey, the capital of Nuevo Leon , agreed 
upon by the undersigned commissioners, to wit: Gen. Worth, of the United States 
army ; Gen. Henderson, of the Texan volunteers ; and. Col. Davis, of the Missis¬ 
sippi riflemen, on the part of Major Gen. Taylor, Commanding-in-chief the 
United States forces: and Gen. Raqucna and Gen. Ortega, of the army of 
Mexico, and Sciior Manuel Llano, Governor of Nuevo Leon, on the part of Senor 
Gen. Don Pedro Ampudia, Commanding-in-chief the army in the North of 
Mexico. 

Art. I. As the legitimate result of the operations before this place, and 
the present position of the contending armies, it is agreed that the city, the 
fortifications, cannon, the munitions of war, and all other public property, 
with the undermentioned exceptions, be surrendered to the commanding 
general of the United States forces, now at Monterey. 

Art. II. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain- the following 
arms, to wit: the commissioned officers their side-arms; the infantry their 
arms and accoutrements; the cavalry their arms and accoutrements; the 
artillery, one field battery, not to exceed six pieces, with twenty-one rounds 
of ammunition. 

Art. III. That the Mexican armed forces retire within seven days from 
this date, beyond the line formed by the pass of the Rinconada, the city of 
Linares, and San Fernando de Presas. 

Art. IV. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the Mexican, 
and occupied by the American forces, to-morrow morning, at 10 o’clock** 
Art. V. To avoid collision, and for mutual convenience, the troops of 
the United States will not occupy the city until the Mexican forces have 
withdrawn, except for hospital and storage purposes. 

Art. VI. That the forces of the United States will not advance beyond 
the line specified in the second (third) article before the expiration of eight 
weeks, or until the orders or instructions of the respective governments can 
be received. 

Art. VII. That the public property to be delivered shall be turned over 
and received by officers appointed by the commanding generals of the two 
armies. 

Art. VIII. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the preceding 
articles shall be solved by an equitable construction, and on principles of 
liberality to the retiring army. 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


155 


Art. IX. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, may be sa¬ 
luted by its own battery. 

Done at Monterey, Sept. 24, 1846. 

W. J. WORTH, 

Brigadier General U. S. A. 

J. P. HENDERSON, 

Major Gen. Corn!dg. the Texan Volunteers. 
JEFFERSON DAYIS, 

Col. Mississippi Riflemen. 
MANUEL M. LLANO, 

T. REQUENA, 

ORTEGA. 

Approved: 

PEDRO AMPUDIA. Z. TAYLOR. 

Major Gen. U. S. A. com'dg. 


HeAI)-Q.UARTERS, AhMI OF OCCUPATION, 

Camp near Monterey, Oct. 9, 1846. 

Sir :—I have now the honor to submit a detailed report of the recent 
operations before Monterey, resulting in the capitulation of that city. 

The information received on the route from Cerralvo, and particularly 
the continual appearance in our front of the Mexican cavalry, which had 
a slight skirmish with our advance at the village of Ramas, induced the 
belief, as we approached Monterey, that the enemy would defend that place. 
Upon reaching the neighborhood of the city on the morning of the 19th 
of September, this belief was fully confirmed. It was ascertained that he 
occupied the town in force; that a large work had been constructed com¬ 
manding all the northern approaches; and that the Bishop’s palace and 
some heights in its vicinity near the Saltillo road, had also been fortified 
and occupied with troops and artillery. It was known from information 
previously received, that the eastern approaches were commanded by seve¬ 
ral small works in the lower edge of the city. 

The configuration of the heights and gorges in the direction of the Sal¬ 
tillo road, as visible from the point attained by our advance on the morn¬ 
ing of the 19th, led me to suspect that it was practicable to turn all the 
works in that direction, and thus cut the enemy’s line of communication. 
After establishing my camp at the “Walnut Springs,” three miles from 
Monterey, the nearest suitable position, it was, accordingly, my first care 
to order a close reconnoissance of the ground in question, which was exe¬ 
cuted on the evening of the 19th, by the engineer officers under the direc- 






Ic6 


OUR ARMY AT MOATEREY. 


tion of Major Mansfield. A reconnoissance of the eastern approaches 
was at the same time made by Capt. Williams, Topographical Engineer. 
The examination made by Major Mansfield proved the entire practicability 
of throwing forward a column to the Saltillo road, and thus turning the 
position of the enemy. Deeming this to be an operation of essential im¬ 
portance, orders were given to Brevet Brig. Gen. Worth, commanding the 
Second Division, to march with his command on the 20th; to turn the hill 
of the Bishop’s palace; to occupy a position on the Saltillo road, and to 
carry the enemy’s detached works in that quarter, where practicable. The 
first regiment of Texas Mounted Volunteers, under command of Col. 
Hays, was associated with the Second Division on this service. Capt. 
Sanders, Engineers, and Lieut. Meade. Topographical Engineers, were also 
ordered to report to Gen. Worth, for duty with his column. 

At two o'clock, p. m., on the 20th, the Second Division took up its march. 
It was soon discovered, by officers who were reconnoitering the town, and 
communicated to Gen. Worth, that its movements had been perceived, and 
that the enemy was throwing reinforcements towards the Bishop’s palace, 
and the height which commands it. To divert his attention as far as prac¬ 
ticable, the First Division, under Brig. Gen. Twiggs, and field Division of 
Volunteers, under Major Gen. Butler, were displayed in front of the town 
until dark. Arrangements were made at the same time to place in battery 
during the night, at a suitable distance from the enemy’s main work, the cita¬ 
del, two twenty-four-pounder howitzers, and a ten-inch mortar, with a view 
to open a fire on the following day, when I proposed to make a diversion in 
favor of Gen. Worth's movement. The Fourth Infantry covered this bat¬ 
tery during the night. Gen. Worth had, in the mean time, reached and 
occupied for the night a defensive position just without range of a battery 
above the Bishop’s palace, having made a reconnoissance as far as the 
Saltillo road. 

Before proceeding to report the operations of the 21st and following 
days, I beg leave to state that I shall mention in detail only those which 
were conducted against the eastern extremity of the city, or elsewhere, 
under my immediate direction, referring you for the particulars of Gen. 
Worth's operations, which were entirely detached, to his own full report 
transmitted herewith. 

Early on the morning of the 21st, I received a note from Gen. Worth, 
written at hall-past nine o’clock the night before, suggesting what I had 
already intended, a strong diversion against the centre and left of the town 
to favor his enterprise against the heights in rear. The infantry and ar¬ 
tillery of the First Division, and the field Division of Volunteers, were or¬ 
dered under arms and took the direction of the city, leaving one company 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


1.07 


of each regiment as a camp guard. The Second Dragoons, under Lieut. 
Col. May, and Col. Wood’s regiment of Texas Mounted Volunteers, under 
the immediate direction of Gen. Henderson, were directed to the right to 
support Gen. Worth, if necessary, and to make an impression, if practi¬ 
cable, upon the upper quarter of the city. Upon approaching the mortar 
battery, the First and Third regiments of Infantry, and battalion of Balti¬ 
more and Washington Volunteers, with Capt. Bragg’s field battery—the 
whole under the command of Lieut. Col. Garland—were directed towards 
the lower part of the town, with orders to make a strong demonstration, 
and carry one of the enemy’s advanced works, if it could be done without 
too heavy loss. Major Mansfield, Engineers, and Capt. Williams, and 
Lieut. Pope, Topographical Engineers, accompanied this column; Major 
Mansfield being charged with its direction, and the designation of points 
of attack. In the mean time the mortar, served by Capt. Ramsay, of the 
ordnance, and the howitzer battery under Capt. Webster, First Artillery, 
had opened their fire upon the citadel, which was deliberately sustained, 
and answered from the work. Gen. Butler’s division had now taken up a 
position in rear of this battery, when the discharges of artillery, mingled 
finally with a rapid fire of small arms, showed that Lieut. Col. Garland’s 
command had become warmly engaged. I now deemed it necessary to 
support this attack, and accordingly ordered the Fourth Infantry, and three 
regiments of Gen. Butler’s division, to march at once bv the left flank, in 
the direction of the advanced work at the lower extremity of the town, 
leaving one regiment (First Kentucky) to cover the mortar and howitzer 
battery. By some mistake, two companies of the Fourth Infantry did not 
receive this order, and consequently did not join the advance companies 
until sometime afterwards. 

Lieut. Col. Garland’s command had approached the town in a direction 
to the right of the advanced work (No. 1,) at the north-eastern angle of the 
city, and the engineer officer, covered by skirmishers, had succeeded in 
entering the suburbs and gaining cover. The remainder of this command 
now advanced and entered the town under a heavy fire of artillery from 
the citadel and the works on the left, and of musketry from the houses and 
small works in front. A movement to the right was attempted, with a view 
to gain the rear of No. 1, and carry that work, but the troops were so much 
exposed to a fire which they could not effectually return, and had already 
sustained such severe loss, particularly in officers, that it was deemed best 
to withdraw them to a more secure position. Capt. Backus, First Infantry, 
how r ever, with a portion of his own and other companies, had gained the 
roof of a tannery, which looked directly into the gorge of No. 1, and from 
which he poured a most destructive fire into that work and upon the strong 
O 


158 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


building in its rear. This fire happily coincided in point of time with the 
advance of a portion of the Volunteer Division upon No. 1, and contributed 
largely to the fall of that strong and important work. 

The three regiments of the Volunteer Division, under the immediati 
command of Maj. Gen. Butler, had in the mean time advanced in the direc 
tion of No. 1. The leading brigade, under Brig. Gen. Quitman, continued 
its advance upon that work, preceded by three companies of the Fourth 
Infantry, while Gen. Butler, with the First Ohio regiment, entered the town 
to the right. The companies of the Fourth Infantry had advanced within 
short range of the work, when they were received by a fire that almost in 
one moment struck down one-third of the officers and men, and rendered 
it necessary to retire and effect a conjunction with the two other com¬ 
panies then advancing. Gen. Quitman’s brigade, though suffering most 
severely, particularly in the Tennessee regiment, continued its advance, 
and finally carried the work in handsome style, as well as the strong build¬ 
ing in its rear. Five.pieces of artillery, a considerable supply of ammu¬ 
nition, and thirty prisoners, including three officers, fell into our hands. 
Maj. Gen. Butler, with the First Ohio regiment, after entering the edge 
of the town, discovered that nothing was to be accomplished in his front, 
and at this point, yielding to the suggestions of several officers, I ordered 
a retrograde movement; but learning almost immediately from one of my 
staff that the battery No. 1 was in our possession, the order was counter¬ 
manded, and I determined to hold the battery and defences already gained. 
Gen. Butler, with the First Ohio regiment, then entered the town at a point 
farther to the left, and marched in the direction of the battery No. 2. While 
making an examination with a view to ascertain the possibility of carrying 
this second work by storm, the general was wounded and soon after com¬ 
pelled to quit the field. As the strength of No. 2, and the heavy musketry 
fire flanking the approach, rendered it impossible to carry it without great 
loss, the First Ohio regiment was withdrawn from the town. 

Fragments of the various regiments engaged were now under cover of 
the captured battery and some buildings in its front, and on the right. The 
field batteries of Capts. Bragg and Ridgely were also partially covered by 
the battery. An incessant fire was kept up on this position from battery 
No. 2, and other works on its right, and from the citadel on all our ap¬ 
proaches. Gen. Twiggs, though quite unwell, joined me at this point, and 
was instrumental in causing the artillery captured from the enemy to be 
placed in battery, and served by Capt. Ridgely against No. 2, until the 
arrival of Capt. Webster’s howitzer battery, which took its place. In the 
mean time, I directed such men as could be collected of the First, Third, 
and Fourth regiments, and Baltimore battalion, to enter the town, penetrat- 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


159 


ing to the right, and carry the second battery if possible. This command, 
under Lieut. Col. Garland, advanced beyond the bridge “ Purisima,” when, 
finding it impracticable to gain the rear of the second battery, a portion of 
it sustained themselves for some time in that advanced position; but as 
no permanent impression could be made at that point, and the main ob¬ 
ject of the general operation had been effected, the command, including 
a section of Capt. Ridgely’s battery, which had joined it, was withdrawn 
to battery No. 1. During the absence of this column, a demonstration of 
cavalry was reported in the direction of the citadel. Capt. Bragg, who was 
at hand, immediately galloped with his battery to a suitable position, from 
which a few discharges effectually dispersed the enemy. Capt. Miller, 
First Infantry, was despatched with a mixed command, to support the bat¬ 
tery on this service. The enemy’s lancers had previously charged upon 
the Ohio and a part of the Mississippi regiments, near some fields at a 
distance from the edge of the town, and had been repulsed with consider¬ 
able loss. A demonstration of cavalry on the opposite side of the river 
was also dispersed in the course of the afternoon by Capt. Ridgely’s bat¬ 
tery, and the squadrons returned to the city. At the approach of evening, 
all the troops that had been engaged Avere ordered back to camp, except 
Capt. Ridgely’s battery, and the regular infantry of the First Division, 
who were detailed as a guard for the works during the night, under 
Lieut. Col. Garland. One battalion of the First Kentucky regiment Avas 
ordered to reinforce this command. Intrenching tools were procured, 
and additional strength was given to the works, and protection to the men, 
by working parties during the night, under the«direction of Lieut. Scarritt, 
Engineers. 

The main object proposed in the morning had been effected. A poAver- 
ful diversion had been made to favor the operations of the Second Divi¬ 
sion ; one of the enemy’s advanced works had been carried, and we noAV 
had a strong foot-hold in the town. But this had not been accomplished 
without a very hea\ r y loss, embracing some of our most gallant and pro¬ 
mising officers. Capt. Williams, Topographical Engineers; Lieuts. Ter- 
rett and Dihvorth, First Infantry; Lieut. Woods, Second Infantry; Capts. 
Morris and Field; Brevet Major Barbour; Lieuts. IrAvin and Hazlitt, Third 
Infantry; Lieut. Hoskins, Fourth Infantry; Lieut. Col. Watson, Baltimore 
battalion; Capt. Allen and Lieut. Putnam, Tennessee regiment, and Lieut. 
Hett, Ohio regiment, were killed, or have since died of Avounds received in 
this engagement, Avhile the number and rank of the officers wounded gives 
additional proof of the obstinacy of the contest, and the good conduct of 
our troops. The number killed and Avounded, incident to the operations 
in the lower part of the city, on the 21st, is three hundred and ninety-four. 



OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


ICO 

Early on the morning of this day, (21st,) the advance of the Second 
Division had encountered the enemy in force, and after a brief but sharp 
conflict, repulsed him with heavy loss. Gen. Worth then succeeded in 
gaining a position on the Saltillo road, thus cutting the enemy’s line of 
communication. From this position, the two heights south of the Saltillo 
road were carried in succession, and the gun taken in one of them turned 
upon the Bishop’s palace. These important successes were fortunately 
obtained with comparatively small loss; Capt. McKavett, of the Eighth 
Infantry, being the only officer killed. 

The 22d day of September passed without any active operations in the 
lower part of the city. The citadel and other works continued to fire at 
parties exposed to their range, and at the work now occupied by our 
troops. The guard left in it the preceding night, except Capt. Ridgely’s 
company, was relieved at mid-day by Gen. Quitman’s brigade. Capt. 
Bragg’s battery was thrown under cover in front of the town, to repel any 
demonstration of cavalry in that quarter. At dawn of day, the height 
above the Bishop’s palace was carried, and soon after meridian, the palace 
itself was taken, and its guns turned upon the fugitive garrison. The 
object for which the Second Division was detached had thus been com¬ 
pletely accomplished, and I felt confident, that with a strong force occupy¬ 
ing the road and heights in his rear, and a good position below the city in 
our possession, the enemy could not possibly maintain the town. 

During the night of the 22d, the enemy evacuated nearly all his defences 
in the lower part of the city. This was reported to me early in the morn¬ 
ing of the 23d, by Gen. Quitman, who had already meditated an assault 
upon those works. I immediately sent instructions to that officer, leaving 
it to his discretion to enter the city, covering his men by the houses and 
walls, and advance carefully as far as he might deem prudent. After 
ordering the remainder of the troops as a reserve, under the orders of 
Brigadier Gen. Twiggs, I repaired to the abandoned works, and discovered 
that a portion of Gen. Quitman’s brigade had entered the town, and were 
successfully forcing their way towards the principal plaza. I then ordered 
up the Second regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, who entered the 
city, dismounted, and under the immediate orders of Gen. Henderson, co¬ 
operated with Gen. Quitman’s brigade. Capt. Bragg’s battery was also 
ordered up, supported by the Third Infantry, and after firing for some time 
at the cathedral, a portion of it was likewise thrown into the city. Our 
troops advanced from house to house, and from square to square, until 
they reached a street but one square in rear of the principal plaza, in and 
near which the enemy’s force was mainly concentrated. This advance 
was conducted vigorously, but with due caution, and although destructive 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


161 


to the enemy, was attended with but small loss on our part. Capt. 
Ridgely, in the mean time, had served a captured piece in battery No. 1, 
against the city, until the advance of our men rendered it imprudent to 
fire in the direction of the cathedral. I was now satisfied that we could 
operate successfully in the city, and that the enemy had retired from the 
lower portion of it to make a stand behind his barricades. As Gen. Quit¬ 
man’s brigade had been on duty the previous night, I determined to with¬ 
draw the troops to the evacuated works, and concert with Gen. Worth a 
combined attack upon the town. The troops accordingly fell back de¬ 
liberately, in good order, and resumed their original positions, Gen. Quit¬ 
man’s brigade being relieved after nightfall by that of Gen. Hamer. On 
my return to camp, I met an officer with the intelligence that Gen. Worth, 
induced by the firing in the lower part of the city, was about making an 
attack at the upper extremity, which had also been evacuated by the enemy 
to a considerable distance. I regretted that this information had not 
reached me before leaving the city, but still deemed it inexpedient to 
• change my orders, and accordingly returned to camp. A note from Gen. 
Worth, written at 11 o’clock, p. m., informed me, that he had advanced to 
within a short distance of the principal plaza, and that the mortar (which 
had been sent to his division in the morning,) was doing good execution 
within effective range of the enemy’s position. 

Desiring to make no further attempt upon the city, without complete 
concert as to the lines and mode of approach, I instructed that officer to 
suspend his advance, until I could have an interview with him on the fol¬ 
lowing morning, at his head-quarters. 

Early on the morning of the 24th, I received, through Col. Moreno, a 
communication from General Ampudia, proposing to evacuate the town; 
which, with the answer, were forwarded with my first despatch. I arranged 
with Col. Moreno a cessation of fire until 12 o’clock, at which hour I 
would receive the answer of the Mexican general, at Gen. Worth’s head¬ 
quarters, to which I soon repaired. In the mean time, General Ampudia 
had signified to Gen. Worth his desire for a personal interview with me, 
to which I acceded, and which finally resulted in a capitulation, placing 
the town and the materiel of war, with certain exceptions, in our posses¬ 
sion. A copy of that capitulation was transmitted with my first despatch. 

Upon occupying the city, it was discovered to be of great strength in 
itself, and to have its approaches carefully and strongly fortified. The 
town and works were armed with forty-two pieces of cannon, well sup¬ 
plied with ammunition, and manned with a force of at least seven thou¬ 
sand troops of the line, and from two thousand to three thousand irregu 
lars The force under my orders before Monterey, as exhibited by the ac- 
o 2 11 



OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


1C2 



companying return, was four hundred and twenty-five officers, and six 
thousand two hundred and twenty men. Our artillery consisted of one 
ten-inch mortar, two twenty-four-pounder howitzers, and four light field- 
batteries of four guns each—the mortar being the only piece suitable to the 
operations of a siege. 

Our loss is twelve officers and one hundred and eight men killed; thirty- 
one officers, and three hundred and thirty-seven men wounded. That of 
the enemy is not known, but it is believed considerably to exceed our 
own. 

I take pleasure in bringing to the notice of the government the good 
conduct of the troops, both Regulars and Volunteers, which has been con¬ 
spicuous throughout the operations. I am proud to bear testimony to their 
coolness and constancy in battle, and the cheerfulness with which they 
have submitted to exposure and privation. To the general officers com¬ 
manding divisions—Major Generals Butler and Henderson, and Brigadier 
Generals Twiggs and Worth—I must express my obligations for the effi¬ 
cient aid which they have rendered in their respective commands. I was 
unfortunately deprived, early on the 21st, of the valuable services of Major 
General Butler, who was disabled by a wound received in the attack on 
the city. Major General Henderson, commanding the Texas Volunteers, 
has given me important aid in the organization of his command, and its 
subsequent operations. Brigadier General Twiggs rendered important ser¬ 
vices with his division, and as the second in command, after Major Gene¬ 
ral Butler was disabled. Brigadier General Worth was intrusted with an 
important detachment, which rendered his operations independent of my 
own. Those operations were conducted with ability, and crowned with 
complete success. I desire also to notice Brigadier Generals Hamer and 
Quitman, commanding brigades in General Butler’s division. Lieutenant 
Colonels Garland and Wilson, commanding brigades in General Twiggs’s 
division. Colonels Mitchell, Campbell, Davis and Wood, commanding 
the Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Second Texas regiments, respec¬ 
tively, and Majors Lear, Allen, and Abercrombie, commanding the Third, 
Fourth, and First regiments of Infantry; all of whom served under my 
eye, and conducted their commands with coolness and gallantry against 
the enemy. Colonel Mitchell, Lieut. Col. McClung, Mississippi regiment, 
Major Lear, Third Infantry, and Major Alexander, Tennessee regiment, 
were all severely wounded, as were Captain Lamotte, First Infantry, Lieut- 
Graham, Fourth Infantry, Adjutant Armstrong, Ohio regiment, Lieutenants 
Scudder and Allen, Tennessee regiment, and Lieut. Howard, Mississippi 
regiment, while leading their men against the enemy’s position on the 21st 
and 23d. After the fall of Colonel Mitchell, the command of the First 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 163 



Ohio regiment devolved upon Lieut. Col. Weller ; that of the Third Infan¬ 
try, after the fall of Major Lear, devolved in succession upon Captain Bain- 
bridge and Captain Henry, the former being also wounded. The following 
named officers have been favorably-noticed by their commanders: Lieut. 
Col. Anderson, and Adjutant Heiman, Tennessee regiment; Lieut. Col. 
McClung, Captains Cooper and Downing, Lieutenants Patterson, Calhoun, 
Moore, Russell and Cook, Mississippi regiment; also Serjeant Major Hear- 
lan, Mississippi regiment; and Major Price and Capt. J. R. Smith, unat¬ 
tached but serving with it. I beg leave also to call attention to the good 
conduct of Captain Johnson, Ohio regiment, and Lieut. Hooker, First Ar¬ 
tillery, serving on the staff of General Hamer, and of Lieutenant Nichols, 
Second Artillery, on that of General Quitman. Captains Bragg and Ridgely 
served with their batteries during the operations under my own observa¬ 
tion, and in part under my immediate orders, and exhibited distinguished 
skill and gallantry. Captain Webster, First Artillery, assisted by Lieute¬ 
nants Donaldson and Bowen, rendered good service with the howitzer cat¬ 
tery, which was much exposed to the enemy’s fire on the 21st. 

From the nature of the operations, the Second Dragoons were not 
brought into action, but were usefully employed under the direction of 
Lieut. Col. May as escorts, and in keeping open our communications. 
The First Kentucky regiment was also prevented from participating in the 
action of the 21st, but rendered highly important services under Colonel 
Ormsby, in covering the mortar battery, and holding in check the enemy’s 
cavalry during the day. 

I have noticed above the officers whose conduct either fell under my own 
immediate eye, oris noticed only in minor reports which are not forwarded. 
For further mention of individuals, I beg leave to refer to the reports of 
division commanders herewith respectfully transmitted. I fully concur in 
their recommendations, and desire that they may be considered as a part 
of my own report. 

From the officers of my personal staff, and of the Engineers, Topo¬ 
graphical Engineers, and Ordnance associated with me, I have derived 
valuable and efficient assistance during the operations. Col. Whiting, 
assistant quarter-master general, Cols. Croghan and Belknap, inspectors 
general, Major Bliss, assistant adjutant general, Captain Sibley, assistant 
quarter-master, Captain Waggaman, commissary of subsistence, Captain 
Eaton and Lieut. Garnett, aids-de-camp, and Majors Kirby and VanBuren, 
pay department, served near my person, and were ever prompt in all situ¬ 
ations, in the communication of my orders and instructions. I must ex¬ 
press my particular obligations to Brevet Major Mansfield, and Lieul. 
Scarritt, corps of Engineers. They both rendered most important services 


164 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


in reconnoitering the enemy’s positions, conducting troops in attack, and 
strengthening the works captured from the enemy. Major Mansfield, 
though wounded on the 21st, remained on duty during that and the follow¬ 
ing day, until confined by his wound to camp. Capt. Williams, Topogra¬ 
phical Engineers, to my great regret and the loss of the service, was mor¬ 
tally wounded while fearlessly exposing himself in the attack of the 21st. 
Lieut. Pope, of the same corps, was active and zealous throughout the 
operations. Major Monroe, chief of the artillery, Major Craig and Capt. 
Ramsay, of the Ordnance, were assiduous in the performance of their pro¬ 
per duties. The former superintended the mortar-service on the 22d, as 
particularly mentioned in the report of General Worth, to which I also 
refer for the services of the Engineer and Topographical officers detached 
with the Second Division. 

Surgeon Craig, medical director, was actively employed in the important 
duties of his department, and the medical staff generally were unremit¬ 
ting in their attentions to the numerous wounded—their duties with the 
regular regiments being rendered uncommonly arduous by the small num¬ 
ber serving in the field. 

I respectfully enclose herewith, in addition to the reports of division 
commanders, a field return of the force before Monterey, on the 21st Sep¬ 
tember—a return of killed, wounded, and missing during the operations— 
and two topographical sketches—one exhibiting all the movements around 
Monterey—the other on a larger scale, illustrating more particularly the 
operations in the lower quarter of the city—prepared respectively by 
Lieuts. Meade and Pope, Topographical Engineers. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Z. TAYLOR, 
Major General U. S. A. Com. 

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. 


HEAD-Q.VARTERS, FlELD DIVISION VOLUNTEERS, 

Monterey, September 30, 1846. 

Sir :—Pursuant to the instructions of the Major General commanding, 
on the 21st instant, at about 8 o’clock, a. m., I marched my division, (with 
the exception of one company from each infantry regiment, left to guard 
the camp,) and placed it in order of battle, under cover, immediately in 
rear of the mortar and howitzer battery, my left resting on the main road 
to Monterey. I had been in position but a short time, when I received the 
general’s further orders to move as speedily as practicable, with three re¬ 
giments, to the support of Gen. Twiggs’s Division, then engaged in an 



DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


165 

attempt to carry the enemy’s first battery on our left. To expedite this 
movement, I marched the three nearest regimeflts, commanded respec¬ 
tive^ by Cols. Davis, Campbell, and Mitchell, by the left flank, leaving 
Col. Ormsby to sustain the batteries. Finding the Rifle regiment in front, 
that of Col. Campbell was ordered to take its place. The two last men¬ 
tioned regiments constituting Gen. Quitman’s field brigade, he took the 
immediate command of them, and moved off with spirit and promptness 
in the direction indicated by the enemy’s line of fire. Having seen Gen. 
Quitman’s brigade fairly in motion, I turned my attention to that of Gen. 
Hamer, now consisting of the Ohio regiment only. Pursuing the instruc¬ 
tions of the Major General, I felt my way gradually, without any know¬ 
ledge of the localities, into that part of the city bordering on the enemy’s 
continuous line of batteries, assailed at every step by heavy fires in front 
and flank. After having traversed several squares, I met Major Mansfield, 
the Engineer, who had conducted the movement of Gen. Twiggs’s Divi¬ 
sion on the first battery. He informed me of the failure of that attack, 
and advised the withdrawal of my command, as there could no longer be 
any other object in advancing further, warning me at the same time that 
if I advanced, I must meet a fire that would sweep all before it. Knowing 
the Major General commanding to be but a short distance in the rear, I 
galloped back and communicated this information, in consequence of 
which he gave the order to retrograde, and the movement was commenced 
accordingly. In a short time, however, it was known that Gen. Quitman’s 
Brigade had not only stormed the battery in question, but had also carried 
a stone house of considerable strength connected with the first, and occu¬ 
pied by the enemy’s infantry. The direction of Gen. Hamer’s brigade 
was at once changed, and the city re-entered by another route, which, after 
about half an hour’s march under a destructive fire, brought it within, say 
one hundred yards of the enemy’s second fort, called El Diablo. A very 
slight reconnoissance sufficed to convince me that this was a position of 
no ordinary strength. Still, feeling its importance, after consulting with 
part of my staff as to its practicability, I had resolved to attempt carrying 
it by storm, and was in the act of directing the advance, when I received 
a wound which compelled me to halt. Col. Mitchell was at the same time 
wounded at the head of his regiment, as was his adjutant. The men were 
falling fast under the converging fires of at least three distinct batteries, 
that continually swept the intervening space through which it was neces¬ 
sary to pass. The loss of blood, too, from my wound rendered it neces¬ 
sary that I should quit the field; and I had discovered at a second glance 
that the position was covered by a heavy fire of musketry from other works 
directly in its rear that I had not seen in the first hasty examination. 


166 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Under all these discouragements, I was most reluctantly compelled, on 
surrendering the command, to advise the withdrawal of the troops to a less 
exposed position. There is a possibility that the work might have been 
carried, but not without excessive loss; and if carried, I feel assured it 
would have been untenable. 

Accordingly, the division, under Gen. Hamer, on whom devolved the 
command, moved to a new position near the captured fort, and within 
sustaining distance of our field-batteries on the left. The troops remained 
in and near this position, and under fire of the enemy’s batteries until late 
in the day. For the details of the after proceedings of the day, I refer to 
Gen. Hamer’s report. 

It is with no little pride and gratification that 1 bear testimony of the gal¬ 
lantry and general good conduct of my command. Were proof wanting, 
a mournful one is to be found in the subjoined return of the casualties of 
the day. That part of my division properly in the field did not exceed 
eleven hundred, of which number full one-fifth was killed or wounded. 
The fact that troops for the first time under fire should have suffered such 
loss, without shrinking, in a continuous struggle of more than two hours, 
and mainly against a sheltered and inaccessible foe, finds but few parallels, 
and is of itself an eulogium to which I need not add. That there were 
some more prominent for skill and gallantry than others, even in a contest 
where all were brave, there can be no doubt; and I leave to those better 
qualified from their situations than myself the pleasing though delicate 
task of reporting upon their respective merits. 

Of my brigadiers, however, it is proper that I should myself speak. 
Gen. Hamer was placed in a situation where nothing brilliant could be 
achieved, but which at every moment imperatively demanded prudence 
and calm, unbending courage. It is but justice to him to say that I found 
him equal to the emergency. 

Gen. Quitman had before him a field in which military genius and skill 
were called into requisition and honors could be fairly won, and I but echo 
the general voice in saying that he nobly availed himself of the occasion. 

My special thanks are due to Major L. Thomas, assistant adjutant gen¬ 
eral; Gen. A. Sidney Johnston, of Texas, acting inspector general, and 
Lieut. G. W. Lay, aid-de-camp, who not only displayed great gallantry and 
coolness, but, by their professional skill, activity, and energy, rendered 
valuable service throughout the action. After my withdrawal, they re¬ 
mained with the troops in the field. 

Surgeon R. P. Hunt, my volunteer aid-de-camp, also evinced great cool¬ 
ness, and conveyed promptly the orders confided to him. 

On my way back to camp I found the Kentucky regiment, under com- 





DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


167 


mand of Col. Ormsby, drawn up in fine order to repel a threatened charge 
from a large body of Mexican cavalry then in view. Though necessarily 
kept from the field of action proper, they occupied a most important posi¬ 
tion, and had two men wounded in defending it. 

I make no mention of the movements of Capt. Webster’s howitzer bat- 
tery, which was withdrawn from my division and placed under charge of 
the chief of artillery. 

Enclosed are the reports of Brigadier Generals Hamer and Quitman of 
the operations of their respective brigades; also, a statement in detail of 
the loss sustained by the division. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. O. BUTLER, 

Major Gen. Commanding Field Division Volunteers. 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, Assistant Adjutant General, 

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, Monterey. 


Head-Quarters, First Division, Volunteers, 

Camp near Monterey, Sept. 28, 1846. 

Sir,—I have transmitted to Major Gen. Butler a report of the operations 
of the First Brigade of this division on the 21st inst.; but it becomes my 
duty, as commandant of the division, to send you an account of the move¬ 
ments of both brigades during the remaining days of our attack upon 
Monterey. 

For a full statement of the points occupied and the services rendered by 
the Second Brigade, I respectfully refer you to the report of Brig. Gen. 
Quitman, who accompanied the brigade, and whose communication is 
herewith sent. I was not with them to witness their gallantry, but from 
the general’s report they are entitled to great credit for the courage, en¬ 
ergy, and zeal displayed on the 23d, in pushing their attack so far into the 
city, and sustaining themselves under the galling fires of the enemy, who 
had such decided advantages over them in their barricades and other 
defences. 

On the morning of the 23d, the First Brigade was ordered out in front 
of the city, and took a position near the infantry of Gen. Twiggs’s com¬ 
mand, where we remained until late in the afternoon. Whilst on the plain 
we could distinctly hear the discharges of small arms, occasionally be¬ 
tween Gen. Quitman’s and Gen. Henderson’s command and the forces of 
the enemy in the city. When they were ordered to retire from the city 
and return to camp, the First Brigade was directed to march to the town 
and occupy the fort taken on the 21st; the one above it, “ El Diablo,” which 




1G8 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


had been abandoned by the enemy on the previous evening, and the tan¬ 
nery between them. We obeyed the order, approaching them under a fire 
of balls and shells, which fortunately did us no injury. 

Capt. Webster’s battery formed part of my command, and, after station¬ 
ing the brigade, I directed him to throw a couple of shells from his twen¬ 
ty-four-pound howitzers into the plaza, where it was understood the prin¬ 
cipal force of the enemy was collected. He did so, and, as far as we could 
discover, with great precision and considerable effect. Subsequent infor¬ 
mation confirmed our opinions in regard to the injury and alarm produced 
by these shells. During the night, Gen. Worth threw several in the same 
direction from the batteries on the western side of the city, proving to the 
Mexicans that they were assailable in this form from both flanks. 

Through the whole night, the enemy threw up rockets from the plaza 
and from the citadel, no doubt expecting a night attack, and adopting this 
method to discover the approach of our troops. 

Early on the morning of the 24th, we had made every preparation for 
renewing the attack upon the city, when we were suddenly arrested by a 
bugle with a flag of truce approaching the forts. It was accompanied by 
Col. Moreno, one of Gen. Ampudia’s aids, bearing a letter to the general- 
in-chief. He was conducted to me by Lieut. Col. Rogers, from the upper 
fort, and I furnished him a horse and escort to Major Gen. Taylor’s quar¬ 
ters in camp. The firing on both sides was suspended until a conference 
could be held. This led to the capitulation by which the city was sur¬ 
rendered. 

I have in my former report expressed my opinion in regard to the cool¬ 
ness and gallantry displayed by the officers and men under my command; 
and have only to add, that their conduct, from the firing of the first to the 
last gun, was of the most meritorious character, richly deserving the ap¬ 
probation of their superior officers, and the gratitude of their countrymen. 

Herewith I send a statement of killed and wounded. Very respectfully, 
3 r our obedient servant, 

TH. L. HAMER, 

Brig. Gen. Commanding First Division Volunteers. 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, Ass't Adjutant General. 


Camp before Monterey, Sept. 28, 1846. 
General:— In addition to my report to Major Gen. Butler, of the action 
of the 21st instant, I now have the honor to report the transactions of my 
Brigade on the 22d instant, followed up by the attack upon the city of 
Monterey, on the 23d September instant. 



DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


169 


Being ordered oil the morning of the 22d to relieve Col. Garland’s com¬ 
mand, which had, during the preceding night, occupied the redoubt and 
fortifications taken on the 21st, my command marched from their encamp¬ 
ment about 9 o’clock in the morning. Col. Campbell, of the Tennessee 
regiment, being indisposed from the fatigue and exposure of the preceding 
day, the command of his regiment devolved on Lieut. Col. Anderson. 
Both regiments were much reduced by the casualties of the preceding day,* 
and the necessary details for the care of the wounded. The march neces¬ 
sarily exposed the brigade for a short distance to a severe fire of artillery 
from the works still in possession of the enemy on this side of the city, 
and from the cross-fire of the citadel. We were not allowed to reach our 
post without some loss. Private Dubois, of Capt. Crump’s company of 
Mississippi Riflemen, was killed, and two men of the same company 
wounded, before entering the works. The redoubt and adjacent works 
being occupied by my brigade, and Lieut. Ridgely’s battery, a portion of the 
troops were engaged under the direction of Lieut. J. M. Scarritt, of Engi¬ 
neers, in strengthening our position on the side next to town. 

At intervals during the whole day, until 9 o’clock at night, the enemy 
kept up from their fortifications, and from the citadel, discharges of shell, 
round shot, and grape. It was in the forenoon of this day, that,, by the aid 
of our glasses, we were presented with a full view of the storming of the 
Bishop’s palace by troops under Gen. Worth on the heights beyond the 
cit} r . The shout by which our brave Volunteers greeted the display of the 
American flag on the palace, was returned by the enemy from their works 
near us by a tremendous fire of round shot and grape upon us without 
effect. During the day, plans of assault on the adjacent Mexican works 
were considered of,, but in the evening my attention was drawn to a line 
of about fifteen hundred Mexican infantry at some distance in rear of their 
works. The presence of this force, amounting to nearly three times our 
effective numbers, and which appeared to be posted for the protection of 
the works, induced me to give up all idea of forcing the works withou- 
reinforcements. During the night several reconnoissances were made 
with details of Capt. Whitfield’s company, in the direction of the redoubt 
“El Diablo.” Frequent signals between the different posts of the enemy 
during the night kept us on the alert; and at the first dawn of day on the 
23d, it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned, or were abandoning, 
the strong works nearest to us. Col. Davis, with a portion of his com¬ 
mand, supported by Lieut. Col. Anderson, with two companies of the Ten¬ 
nessee regiment, was ordered to take possession of the works. This was 
promptly done. The enemy had withdrawn their artillery during the night, 
and nothing of value fell into our hands but some prisoners and ammuni- 

F 


170 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


tion. From this work, which commanded a view of the cathedral, and a 
portion of the great plaza of the city, we perceived another half-moon or 
triangular redoubt in advance of us, and on our right, which appeared to 
be immediately connected with heavy stone buildings and walls adjoining 
the block of the city. Having reported my observations to the command¬ 
ing general, who had approached the field of our operations, I received 
permission to advance upon the defences of the city in this direction, and, 
if deemed practicable, to occupy them. It was sufficiently apparent that 
all the approaches to the city on this side were strongly fortified. Wish¬ 
ing to proceed with caution, under the qualified permission of the com¬ 
manding general, I sent out a party of riflemen, under Lieut. Graves, to 
reconnoitre, supporting them at some distance by a company of Tennessee 
infantry, under Capt. McMurray. Some active movements of the enemy 
in the vicinity induced me to halt this party, and to order out Col. Davis, 
with two companies of his command, and two companies of Tennessee 
troops, to advance on these works. As the troops advanced, armed men 
were seen flying at their approach. Upon reaching the redoubt which had 
attracted our attention, we perceived that it was open, and exposed to the 
fire of the enemy from the stone buildings and walls in the rear. It was, 
therefore, necessary to select another position less exposed. Posting the 
two companies of infantry, in a position to defend the lodgment we had 
effected, I directed Col. Davis to post his command as he might deem most 
advantageous for defence or active operations, intending hereto await fur¬ 
ther orders or reinforcements. In reconnoitering the place, several shots 
were fired at Col. Davis by the enemy, and several files of the riflemen 
who had advanced to the slope of a breastwork, (No. 1,) which had been 
thrown across the street for the defence of the city, returne-d the fire. A 
volley from the enemy succeeded. Our party having been reinforced by 
additions from the riflemen and infantry, a brisk firing was soon opened 
on both sides, the enemy from the house-tops and parapets attempting to 
drive us from the lodgment we had effected. A considerable body of the 
enemy, securely posted on the top of a large building on our left, which 
partially overlooked the breastwork, No. 1, continued to pour in their fire, 
and killed private Tyree, of company K, whose gallant conduct at the 
breastwork had attracted the attention of both his colonel and myself. 
From this commencement, in a short time the action became general. 
The enemy appearing to be in great force and firing upon our troops from 
every position of apparent security, I despatched my aid, Lieut. Nichols, 
with orders to advance the whole of my brigade which could be spared 
from the redoubts occupied by us. A portion of the Mississippi regiment, 
under Major Bradford, advanced to the support of the troops engaged, but 



DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


171 


Lieut. Col. Anderson, with a part of the Tennessee regiment, was required 
to remain for the protection of the redoubts in our possession. With this 
. additional force more active operations upon the city were begun. De¬ 
tachments of our troops advanced, penetrating into buildings and occupy¬ 
ing the flat roofs of houses, and by gradual approaches, driving the enemy 
back. They had been engaged more than an hour, when they were rein¬ 
forced by a detachment of dismounted Texan Rangers, commanded by 
Gen. Henderson, with whose active and effectual co-operations the attack 
upon the city was gradually, but successfully prosecuted. Buildings, 
streets, and courts were occupied by our troops without much loss, until, 
after being engaged for about five hours, having advanced within less than 
two squares of the great plaza, apprehensive that we might fall under the 
range of our own artillery, which had been brought up to our support, and 

our ammunition being nearly exhausted, active operations were ordered to 

« 

cease until the effect of the batteries, which had been brought forward into 
one of the principal streets, could be seen. 

It being found that the barricades in the neighborhood of the plaza 
were too strong to be battered down by our light artillery, the commanding 
general, who had taken position in the city, ordered the troops gradually 
and slowly to retire to the defences taken in the morning. This was done 
in good order, the enemy firing occasionally upon us, but not venturing to 
take possession of the part of the town we had occupied. Our forces had 
scarcely retired from their advanced position in the city, w T hen we heard 
the commencement of the attack of the division under Gen. Worth on the 
opposite side of the town. The force under my command had been engaged 
from eight o’clock in the morning to 3 P. M. It should be recorded, to 
the credit of the Volunteer troops, that the greater portion of them had 
been without sustenance since the morning of the 22d, and exposed 
throughout the very inclement and rainy night of the 22d, to severe duty, 
without blankets or overcoats, and yet not a murmur was heard among 
them—their alacrity remained unabated to the last moment. The charac¬ 
ter of this affair, the troops being necessarily separated into many small 
parties, gave frequent occasion to the exhibition of individual courage and 
daring. The instances occurred so frequently, in which both officers and 
men distinguished themselves, that to recount those which fell under my 
own observation, or which were brought to my notice by officers, would 
extend this report to an improper length. It is my duty and pleasure to 
mention the fact, that the veteran Gen. Lamar, of Texas, joined my com¬ 
mand as a volunteer in the commencement of the attack on the city, and 
by his counsel and example aided and encouraged the troops. Major E. 
R. Price, of Natchez, and Capt. J. R. Smith, of Louisiana, both from the 



172 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


recently disbanded Louisiana troops, acted with distinguished bravery as 
volunteers in Col. Davis’s regiment. Referring to the reports of Col. 
Davis, Lieut. Col. Anderson, and Major Bradford for further particulars, 
and to the lists herewith submitted of the killed and wounded on the 22d 
and 23d, 

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, &c., 

J. A. QUITMAN, 

Brig. Gen. U. S. A., Commanding Secotid Brigade, Volunteers. 

Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Hamer, 

Commanding First Division, Volunteers. 


Head-q.uarters, Second Division, Army of Occupation, 

Monterey, Mexico, Sept. 28, 1846. 

Sir,—I have the honor to report, that, in obedience to the verbal orders 
of the general-in-chief, the division under my command, composed of 
Lieut. Col. Duncan’s battery of Horse-Artillery, artillery battalion, (Lieut. 
Col. Childs,) and Eighth regiment, (Capt. Scriven,) constituting the First 
brigade, under Lieut. Col. Stamford; Lieut. Mackall’s battery Horse-Artil¬ 
lery, Fifth Infantry, (Major Scott.,) Seventh, (Capt. Miles,) and one com¬ 
pany Louisiana volunteers, (Capt. Blanchard,) Second Brigade, under 
Brig. Gen. Persifer F. Smith, (Col. of Rifles,) and Col. Hay’s regiment of 
Texan Mounted Riflemen, moved from the main camp at El Bosque de St. 
Domingo, at 2 P. M., on the 20th. 

My instructions were, by a detour to the right, to endeavor to find and 
reach the Saltillo road, effect a thorough reconnoissance of the approaches 
to the city from that direction, to cut off supplies and reinforcements, and, 
if practicable, carry the heights. 

Owing to the difficulties of the ground after leaving the Marin, and before 
striking the Presquina Grande road, the division had reached only six 
miles—in consequence of the delay in making the route practicable for 
artillery, which service was executed by Capt. Sanders, at 6 P. M., and was 
halted just without the range of a gun-battery upon the summit of an iso¬ 
lated hill, called Loma de Independence, midway on the ascent of which was 
the Bishop’s palace. Thence a reconnoissance was made, under cover of 
detachments of Hay’s Texans, to the intersection of the Presquina Grande 
route, then in our possession, with the Saltillo road. This examination 
resulted in the conviction that the grounds in our front and on our left, in 
advance, constituted at the same time the weak and the strong points of 
the enemy’s position, and entered mainly into the defences of the city— 
the weak point, because commanding the only lines of retreat and of sup- 



DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


173 


ply in the direction of Saltillo, and controlling that in the direction of 
Presquina Grande; the strong point, because of the peculiarly defensive 
character of the hills and gorges, and of the very careful and skilful man¬ 
ner with which they had been fortified and guarded. It was also clearly 
indicated that our further advance would be strenuously resisted. 

On the morning of the 21st, the division was put in motion, and with 
such formation as to present the readiest order of battle on any point of 
assault. At six, the advance, consisting of Hay’s Texans, supported by 
the light companies of the First brigade, under Capt. C. F. Smith, (both 
extended, as the valley widened or contracted,) closely followed by Dun¬ 
can’s Light Artillery, and battalion, heads of columns, on turning an angle 
of the mountain, at a hacienda called San Jeronimo, came upon a strong 
force of cavalry and infantry, mostly the former. A conflict immediately 
ensued. The Texans received the heavy charge of cavalry with their un¬ 
erring rifles, and usual gallantry; the light companies opened a rapid and 
well-directed fire; Duncan’s battery was in action in one minute, (promptly 
supported by a section of Mackall’s,) delivering its fire over the heads 
of our men. Ere the close of the combat, which lasted but fifteen minutes, 
the First brigade had formed to the front, on the right and left, and deli¬ 
vered its fire. The Second brigade was held in reserve, the ground not 
admitting of its deployment. The enemy retired in disorder, (leaving on 
the ground one hundred killed and wounded; among the former, Don Juan 
N. Najira, colonel of the permanent regiment of lancers,) upon the Saltillo 
road, and was closely pursued until we got possession of the gorge, where 
all the debouches from Monterey unite, whereby the force just defeated, as 
also reinforcements and supplies from that direction, were excluded from 
entering the city. At this important point the division was halted, and 
attention directed toward the mountain forts which envelope the city on 
its western and south-western faces. Soon discovering, however, that our 
position brought us within effective range of the batteries, the troops were 
advanced some eight hundred yards farther on the Saltillo road. 

The examination, thus far, had manifested, besides the importance of 
the positions, the impracticability of any effective operations against the 
city, until possessed of the exterior forts and batteries. Independent, how¬ 
ever, of ulterior objects, the occupation of these heights became indispen¬ 
sable to the restoration of our line of communication with head-quarters, 
necessarily abandoned for the moment, in order to secure the gorges 
of the Saltillo road. At 12 M., a force was detached under Capt. C. 
F. Smith, with orders to storm the batteries on the crest of the nearest 
hill, called Federacion, and after taking that, to carry the fort called Soldada, 
on the ridge of the same height, retired about six hundred yards. The 


174 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


two effectually guarded the slopes and roads in either valley, and conse¬ 
quently the approaches to the city. This command consisted of four com¬ 
panies (K. 2d, B. 3d, and G. and H. Fourth Artillery) of the artillery bat¬ 
talion, and Green’s, McGowan’s, R. A. Gillespie’s, Chandler’s, Ballowe’s, 
and McCulloch’s companies of Texan Riflemen, under Major Chevalier, 
acting in co-operation—in all, about three hundred effectives. It was 
impossible to mask the movement of the storming party. On approaching 
the base of the mountain, the guns of both batteries opened a plunging fire, 
and numerous light troops were seen descending and arranging themselves 
at favorable points on the slopes. Perceiving these indications of deter¬ 
mined resistance, Capt. Miles was detached with the Seventh, to support 
and co-operate with the first party. In a short time the fire became gene¬ 
ral, the enemy gradually yielding and retiring up the rugged acclivity, and 
our men as steadily pursuing. The appearance of heavy reinforcements 
on the summit, and the cardinal importance of the operation demanding 
further support—the Fifth, under Major Scott, and Blanchard’s company 
of Volunteers were immediately detached, accompanied by Brig. Gen. 
Smith, who was instructed to take direction in that quarter. On reaching 
the advance parties, Gen. Smith discovered that under favor of the ground, 
he could, by diverting a portion of the force to the right, and moving it 
obliquely up the hill, carry the Soldada simultaneously with the Federation. 
He accordingly very judiciously pointed, and accompanied the Fifth, 
Seventh, and Blanchard’s company, in that direction. Capt. Smith’s com¬ 
mand having most gallantly carried the first object of attack, promptly 
turned the captured gun—a nine-pounder—upon the second, and moved 
on with his main body, to participate in the assault upon Soldada, which 
was carried in gallant style by the forces under Scott, Miles, Blanchard, 
and Hays, (who had been detached on special service, but -who returned 
in time to share with fifty of his men in the first assault, and to take a 
prominent part in the second,) the whole directed by Gen. Smith. 

At this point we secured another nine-pounder, and immediately both 
pieces were brought to bear upon the Bishop’s palace, situated upon and 
midway the southern slope of the hill Independence, a valley of only six 
hundred yards intervening. We had now secured an important advantage, 
and yet but half the work was done. The possession of these heights only 
made the more apparent the controlling importance of those opposite, and 
the necessity of occupying the palace. A violent storm ensued, and night 
closing in, operations for the day ceased. The troops liad now been thirty- 
six hours without food, and constantly taxed to the utmost physical exer¬ 
tions. Such as could be permitted, slept with arms in hand, subjected to 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


175 


a pelting storm, and without covering, till 3 o’clock, a. m., when they were 
aroused to carry the hill Independencia. 

Lieut. Col. Childs was assigned to lead this storming party, consisting 
of three companies, I. and G. Fourth, and A. Third, (artillery battalion;) 
three companies, Eighth Infantry, (A. B. and D.,) under Capt. Scriven, 
with two hundred Texan riflemen, under Col. Hays and Lieut. Col. Walker, 
(captain of rifles,) acting in co-operation. The command moved at 3 
o’clock, conducted to its point of ascent by Capt. Sanders, military, and 
Lieut. Meade, Topographical Engineers. Favored by the weather, it 
reached by dawn of day within about a hundred yards of the crest, in 
which position, among the clefts of rocks, a body of the enemy had been 
stationed the previous evening in apparent anticipation of attack. The 
enemy’s retreating fire was ineffectual, and not returned until Cols. Childs’ 
and Hays’s command had reached withi-n a few yards of the summit, when 
a well-directed and destructive fire, followed by the bayonet of the Regulars 
and rush of the Texans, placed us in possession of the work; the cannon 
having been previously withdrawn, no impression could be made upon the 
massive walls of the palace, or its outworks, without artillery, except at 
an enormous sacrifice. 

Lieut. Roland, of Duncan’s battery, was ordered from the main camp 
with a twelve-pound howitzer; and in two hours, (aided by fifty men from 
the line, under Capt. Sanders, Military Engineers, for the purpose of select¬ 
ing the route least difficult,) that enterprising and gallant officer had his 
gun in position, having ascended an acclivity, as rugged as steep, between 
seven and eight hundred feet in two hours. A fire was immediately 
opened from the howitzer, covered by the epaulement of the captured bat¬ 
tery, upon the palace and its outworks, four hundred yards distant, and 
soon produced a visible sensation. 

Meanwhile, to reinforce the position, the Fifth, Major Scott, and Blanch¬ 
ard’s volunteers, had been passed from the first heights, and reached the 
second in time to participate in the operations against the palace. 

After many affairs of light troops and several feints, a heavy sortie was 
made, sustained by a strong corps of cavalry, with desperate resolution, 
to repossess the heights. Such a move had'been anticipated and pre¬ 
pared for. Lieut. Col. Childs had advanced 1 ', under cover, two companies 
of light troops under command of Capt. Vinton, Acting Major, and judi¬ 
ciously drawn up the main body of his command, flanked on the right by 
Hays, and left by Walker’s Texians. The enemy advanced boldly, was 
repulsed by one general discharge from all arms, and fled in confusion, 
closely pressed by Childs and Hays, preceded by the light troops under 
Vinton; and while they fled past, our troops entered the palace and fort. 


176 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


In a few moments the unpretending flag of the Union had replaced the 
gaudy standard of Mexico. The captured guns—one six-inch howitzer, 
one twelve and two nine-pounder brass guns, together with Duncan’s and 
Mackall’s field batteries, which came up at a gallop, were in full and 
effective play upon the retiring and confused masses that filled the streets 
(of which we had the prolongation) leading to the nearest plaza, la capella, 
also crowded with troops. At this moment the enemy’s loss was heavy. 
The investment was now complete. Except the force necessary to hold 
the position on Independencia and serve the guns, (shifted to points whence 
the shot could be made to reach the great plaza,) the division was now 
concentrated around the palace, and preparations made to assault the city 
on the following day, or sooner, should the general-in-chief either so 
direct, or, before communication be had,'renew the assault from the oppo¬ 
site quarter. In the mean time, attention was directed to every provision 
our circumstances permitted to alleviate the condition of our wounded 
soldiers and officers; to the decent interment of the dead, not omitting, in 
either respect, all that was due to those of the enemy. 

About 10 o’clock, a. m., on the 23d, a heavy fire was heard in the op¬ 
posite quarter. Its magnitude and continuance, as well as other circum¬ 
stances, did not permit a doubt that the general was conducting a main 
attack; and that his orders for my co-operation (having to travel a circuit 
of some six miles) had miscarried, or failed to reach me by means of the 
numerous cavalry of the enemy. Under these convictions, the troops 
were instantly ordered to commence an operation, which, if not otherwise 
directed, I had designed to execute in part, under favor of the night. Two 
columns of attack were organized, to move along the two principal streets, 
leading from our position, in direction of the great plaza, composed of 
light troops slightly extended, with orders to mask the men whenever 
practicable; avoid those points swept by the enemy’s artillery; to press 
on to the first plaza, Capella; to get hold of the ends of the streets beyond, 
then enter the buildings, and by means of picks and bars break through 
the longitudinal section of the walls; work from house to house, and, as¬ 
cending to the roofs, to place themselves upon the same breast-height with 
the enemy. Light artillery by sections and pieces, under Duncan, Roland, 
Mackall, Martin, Hays, Irons, Clarke, and Curd, followed at suitable inter¬ 
vals, covered by reserves to guard the pieces, and the whole operation 
against the probable enterprises of cavalry upon our left. This was ef¬ 
fectually done by seizing and commanding the head of every cross street. 
The streets were, at different and well-chosen points, barricaded by heavy 
masonry walls, with embrasures for one or more guns, and in every in¬ 
stance well supported by cross batteries. These arrangements of defence 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


177 


gave to our operations at this moment a complicated character, demand¬ 
ing much care and precaution: but the work went on steadily, simulta¬ 
neously, and successfully. About the time our assault commenced, the 
fire ceased from our force in the opposite quarter. Disengaged on the one 
side, the enemy was enabled to shift men and guns to our quarter, as was 
soon manifested by accumulation of fire. At dark we had worked through 
the walls and squares, and reached to within one block of the great plaza, 
leaving a covered way in our rear; carried a large building which towered 
over the principal defences, and during the night and ensuing morning, 
crowned its roof with two howitzers and a six-pounder. All things were 
now prepared to renew the assault at dawn of day, when a flag was sent 
in, asking a momentary suspension of fire, which led to the capitulation 
upon terms so honorable to our arms. As the columns of attack were 
moving from the Palace Hill, Major Monroe, chief of artillery, reached me 
with a ten-inch mortar, which was immediately advanced to the plaza, 
(Chapel,) put in position masked by the church wall, its bed adjusted as 
rapidly as possible, and by sunset opened upon the great square. At this 
period, our troops had worked to within one square of the plaza. The 
exact position of our comrades on the opposite side was not known, and 
the distance of the position to be assailed from the bomb battery but con¬ 
jectural; eight hundred yards was assumed, and fuze and charge regu¬ 
lated accordingly; the first shell fell a little short of the point on which it 
was directed, and beside our troops; a slight increase of the projecting 
charge gave exact results. The whole service was managed by Major 
Monroe, most admirably, and, combined with other operations, exercised 
a decided influence upon the final results. Early on the morning of the 
21st, Major Brown, artillery battalion, was despatched with a select com¬ 
mand, and one section of Mackall’s battery, under Lieut. Irons, to occupy 
the stone mill and adjacent grounds, constituting, one league in advance, 
the narrow gorge near St. Catarina. The major took possession, repulsed 
the enemy’s picquets, and was preparing his command to resist any attack, 
when he received my orders to retrace his steps, enter the city, and form 
the main reserve to the assaulting columns. He came up in good time 
and good order, and was at once under fire. 

On the 25th, in conformity with the articles of capitulation, the citadel 
was taken possession of by a command consisting of two companies of 
each regiment, and one section of each battery, Second Division. Gen. 
Smith was directed to take command of this corps, and conduct the cere¬ 
mony, which duty he executed with delicacy to the unhappy and humili¬ 
ated foe. 

You will receive lists of captured munitions of war; lists of such as 

12 


178 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


were surrendered have already been handed in. It is a source of high 
gratification that we have been able to accomplish such fortunate results 
with so moderate a sacrifice of gallant men. Annexed is a return of killed 
and wounded, exhibiting dates, actions, and circumstances. 

When every officer and every soldier, regular and volunteer, has, through 
a series of harassing and severe conflicts, in the valley and on the moun¬ 
tain, in the street and on the house-top, cheerfully, bravely, and success¬ 
fully executed every service and complied with every exaction of valor 
and patriotism, the task is as difficult as delicate to distinguish individuals; 
and yet it will always happen, as it has always happened in the varied 
scenes of battle and siege, that fortune presents to some those opportuni¬ 
ties which all would have seized with gladness and avidity. It is my 
pleasing and grateful duty to present to the consideration of the general- 
in-chief, and through him to the government, the distinguished conduct of 
Brig. Gen. Smith, Colonel of Rifles; Brevet Lieut. Col. Childs, Artillery 
Battalion ; Col. Hays, Texan Riflemen Brevet Lieut. Col. Duncan, Horse 
Artillery, and Capt. C. F. Smith, Second Artillery, commanding light troops 
First Brigade. 

My thanks are also especially due to Lieut. Col. Staniford, Eighth, (com¬ 
manding First Brigade ;) Major Munroe, chief of Artillery, (general staff;) 
Brevet Major Brown, Capt. J. R. Yinton, Artillery battalion; Capt. J. B. 
Scott, Artillery battalion, (light troops;) Major Scott, commanding, and 
Capt. Merrill, Fifth ; Capt. Miles, commanding, Holmes and Ross, Seventh 
Infantry; and Capt. Scriven, commanding Eighth Infantry; to Lieut. Col. 
Walker, (Captain Rifles,) Major Chevalier, and Capt. McCulloch, of the 
Texan, and Capt. Blanchard, Louisiana Volunteers ; to Lieuts. Mackall, 
(commanding battery,) Roland, Martin, Hays, Irons, Clarke and Curd, 
Horse Artillery; Lieut. Longstreet, commanding light, company, Eighth; 
Lieut. Ayres, Artillery battalion, who was among the first in the assault 
upon the palace; and who secured the colors. Each of the officers named 
either headed special detachments, columns of attack, storming parties, 
or detached guns, and all were conspicuous for conduct and courage. My 
attention has been particularly directed by Gen. Smith to the gallant con¬ 
duct of Lieut. Gardner, Seventh Infantry, during the assault upon the city; 
on which occasion he threw himself in advance, and on the most exposed 
points, animating the men by his brave example. Particular attention has 
also been called to the Lieuts. Nicholls, (brothers,) Louisiana Volunteers, 
as having highly distinguished themselves by personal daring and efficient 
service. The officers of brigade and regimental staff were conspicuous 
in the field, or in their particular departments. Lieuts. Hanson, (com¬ 
manding,) Vandorn, aids-de-camp, Seventh ; Lieut. Robinson, Fifth, (quar- 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


179 


ter-master’s department,) on the staff of Gen. Smith ; Lieut, and Adjutant 
Clarke, Eighth Infantry, staff First Brigade; Lieuts. Benjamin, Adjutant 
Artillery battalion—Peck, Ordnance officer, Artillery battalion ; G. Deas, 
Adjutant Fifth; and Page, Adjutant Seventh Infantry, are highly com¬ 
mended by their respective chiefs, to the justness of which I have the 
pleasure to add my personal observation. In common with the entire Di¬ 
vision, my particular thanks are tendered to Assistant Surgeons Porter, 
(senior,) Byrne, Conrad, De Leon, and Roberts, (medical department,) who 
were ever at hand in the close fight, promptly administering to the wounded 
and suffering soldier. To the officers of the staff, general and personal, 
more especially associated with myself—Hon. Col. Bailie Peyton, Louisi¬ 
ana troops, who did me the honor to serve as aid-de-camp, Capt. Sanders, 
Military Engineers ; Lieut. Meade, Topographical Engineers; Lieuts. E. 
Deas, Daniels, and Ripley, Quartermaster’s and Commissary’s staff; and 
Lieuts. Pemberton, Fourth Artillery, and Wood, Eighth Infantry, my aids- 
de-camp—I have to express the greatest obligation. In such diversified 
operations during the three days and nights, they were constantly in mo¬ 
tion, performing every executive duty with zeal and intelligence only sur¬ 
passed by daring courage in conflict. I beg to commend each to special 
consideration. 

We have to lament the gallant Capts. McKavett, Eighth Infantry, an 
officer of high merit, killed on the 21st, and Gillespie, Texas Volunteers, 
on the 22d. The latter eminently distinguished himself while leading his 
brave company, at the storming of the first height, and perished in seek¬ 
ing similar distinction on a second occasion ; Capt. Gatlin and Lieut. Pot¬ 
ter, Seventh; Lieuts. Rossell, Fifth, and Wainright, Eighth Infantry, and 
Lieut. Reece, Texas Riflemen, received honorable, happily not mortal, 
wounds. 

The following non-commissioned officers are reported as having highly 
distinguished themselves :—Serjeants Hazard, Fourth, and Dilworth, Third 
Artillery; Quartermaster’s Serjeant Henry, Seventh Infantry ; Cross, com¬ 
pany C; Rounds, Bradford, (color serjeant,) and Magg, company E; Bai¬ 
ley, company I; and Ballard, Seventh Infantry. 

In the several conflicts with the division, the enemy’s loss is ascertained 
to exceed four hundred and fifty men; four nine-pounders, one twelve- 
pounder brass gun, one twenty-four-pounder howitzer, and two national 
(garrison) standards captured. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. J. WORTH, 

Brevet Brig. Gen. Commanding Second Division. 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, 

Assistant Adjutant Gen., Army of Occupation. 


180 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 




HEAB-atTARTEllS, Fill ST DtVISION, AhMT OF OCCUPATION, 

Camp near Monterey , Sept. 29, 184G. 

Sir,—For the information of the Major General commanding the Army 
of Occupation, I have the honor to make the following report of the opera¬ 
tions of the divisions of the army under my command, against the enemy 
in position at Monterey. On the morning of the 21st inst., my division 
advanced toward the city. Lieut. Col. J. Garland’s brigade, composed of 
the Third and Fourth regiments of Regular Infantry, and Capt. B. Bragg’s 
Horse-Artillery, Lieut. Col. H. Wilson’s brigade, composed of the First 
regiment of Regular Infantry, and the Washington and Baltimore battalion 
of Volunteers, were ordered to the east and lower end of the city, to make 
a diversion in favor of Brevet Brig. Gen. W. J. Worth’s division, which was 
operating against the west.and upper part of the city. It being deemed 
practicable, an assault was ordered against two of the enemy’s advanced 
works. The regular force of my division was throwm to the right of the 
two works, with orders to take possession of some houses in the city, on 
the right and rear of the enemy’s advanced position, with a view of annoy¬ 
ing him in flank and rear. The Washington and Baltimore battalion was 
ordered on the road leading directly to the works. Under a most galling 
and destructive fire from three batteries in front and one on the right, as 
well as from that of small arms from all the adjacent houses and stone 
walls, my division advanced as rapidly as the ground and the stern oppo¬ 
sition of the enemy would admit of. The First, Third, and Fourth regi¬ 
ments of Infantry gained the position to which they were ordered, and an¬ 
noyed the enemy' in flank and rear, until he was obliged to evacuate his 
two advanced works, which were hotly pressed by r Gen. Butler’s Division 
of Volunteers, and the Washington and Baltimore battalion, under com¬ 
mand of Lieut. Col. Watson. 

The Third and Fourth advanced still further into the city, but finding 
the streets strongly barricaded by heavy masses of masonry, behind which 
batteries were placed, and the houses filled with light troops, were obliged 
to retire to the works first taken by the Volunteers. The position of the 
enemy’s batteries, and the arrangement of his defences, in every street and 
corner, rendered it necessary for the regular troops who advanced into the 
city to be separated, each company being led by' its captain or immediate 
commander, and for the time acting independently'. After a most manly 
struggle of some six hours, my men succeeded, after various repulses, in 
driving the enemy from each and every of his positions in the suburbs. 
The Third Infantry, commanded by Major W. W. Lear, and part of the 
Fourth, all under the command of Lieut. Col. J. Garland, led off towards 



DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


181 


the right, and in the direction of one of the enemy’s strongest works in 
front of a bridge in the city. Capt. B. Bragg’s battery accompanied the 
command, under a destructive fire, which killed and disabled several of his 
men and horses, until directed to retire beyond the range of small arms. In 
this desperate struggle, the Third Infantry had Captains N. L. Morris and 
G. P. Field, Brevet Major P. N. Barbour, First Lieut, and Adjt. D. S. Irvin, 
and Second Lieut. R. Hazlitt, killed, together with several non-commis¬ 
sioned officers and men, and its commanding officer, Major W. W. Lear, 
and Capt. H. Bainbridge, wounded—the former dangerously, and the latter 
slightly; and the Fourth lost its adjutant, Lieut. C. Hoskins, and Brevet 
First Lieut. Woods, of the Second Infantry, serving with the Fourth. The 
number of killed and wounded amongst the officers, shows with what praise¬ 
worthy heroism each regiment and company was led against the in¬ 
trenched enemy. The First Infantry, commanded by Brevet Major J. J. 
Abercrombie, passing two of the enemy’s advanced works, succeeded in 
gaining possession of some houses on the left of the position of the Third 
and Fourth. Captains E. Backus and J. M. Scott, of the First, with their 
companies, took an advantageous position in rear of the two works 
referred to, and, by firing into the gorges, assisted the Volunteer force very 
materially in driving the enemy from them. Capt. J. H. Lamotte, of the 
First, with his company, was doing valuable service at this time, when he 
received two wounds, and was obliged to retire. The killed and wounded 
in these three companies, in this operation, numbers thirty-six. Lieut. R. 
Dilworth, of Capt. J. H. Lamotte’s company, was mortally wounded by a 
twelve-pounder before entering the town. The remainder of Capt. J. H. 
Lamotte’s company, being now without an officer, was incorporated with 
others of the regiment. Capt. A. S. Miller’s company, First Infantry, was 
actively employed in driving the enemy from his hedges and stone-fences 
near the advanced work, and having succeeded, with considerable loss, 
took command of what remained of companies C, E, G, and K, First In¬ 
fantry, accompanied by Lieut. S. Hamilton, acting adjutant—Brevet Major 
J. J. Abercrombie, commanding the regiment, having been wounded, and 
Lieut. J. C. Terrett, his adjutant—and moved to repel a threatened attack 
on Capt. B. Bragg’s battery by a body of lancers; after which his com¬ 
mand joined Gen. Hamer’s brigade, operating in the suburbs, and there 
remained till the close of the day. The Baltimore and Washington batta¬ 
lion, commanded by the gallant Lieut. Col. Wm. H. Watson, who was 
killed whilst advancing under a heavy fire, into the city, served in co-ope¬ 
ration with the regular infantry. After their commander fell, the com¬ 
panies were detached and did good service till the close of the day^ 

The number of killed and wounded in this assault, shows with what 

u 


182 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


obstinacy each position was defended by the enemy, as well as the gal¬ 
lantry and good conduct displayed by our officers and men. 

Capt. B. Bragg’s battery, having suffered severely, after advancing some 
distance into the city, was obliged to withdraw to a point out of range of 
the enemy’s small arms. Capt. R. Ridgely, with one section of his battery, 
annoyed the enemy’s advanced works for some time in the commencement 
of the assault, but was obliged to retire out of range of their batteries, that 
were playing on him. Having used a twelve-pounder taken from the first 
work, against the enemy, till the ammunition gave out, he was sent with 
one section of his own battery still further in advance; but being unable 
to accomplish much against the enemy’s heavy breastworks, returned to, 
and occupied with his battery, the first work taken from the enemy. Cap¬ 
tains R. Ridgely and B. Bragg, and their subalterns, W. H. Shover, G. H. 
Thomas, J. F. Reynolds, C. L. Kilburn, and S. G. French, deserve the 
highest praise for their skill and good conduct under the heaviest fire of 
the enemy, which, when an opportunity offered, was concentrated on them. 
In the advanced works referred to were taken four officers and sixteen men, 
prisoners of war, together with five pieces of ordnance, some ammunition 
and small arms. Having thrown up some slight breastworks, the First, 
Third, and Fourth Infantry, and Capt. R. Ridgely’s battery, occupied this 
position until the morning of the 22d. 

Owing to the position of the enemy and the nature of the ground, the 
two squadrons of Second Dragoons, commanded by Lieut. Col. C. A. May, 
were not brought into action. They were, however, actively and usefully 
employed in collecting and conveying the wounded to our camp. On the 
23d, the advance into the city was resumed—the infantry working their 
way from house to house, supported by Captains R. Ridgely and B. 
Bragg’s battery, driving the enemy before them. When night closed our 
operations on the 23d, our men had advanced to within two squares of the 
centre of the city. 

A cessation of hostilities, on the morning of the 24th, stopped our fur¬ 
ther progress, and gave us time to collect the wounded and bury the dead. 
The operating strength of my command on the morning of the 21st, was 
sixty-three officers, and ten hundred and twenty-two men, and out of that 
number were killed and wounded fifteen officers, and one hundred and 
sixty-four men. I enclose, herewith, a tabular statement of the killed, 
wounded, and missing. Of the field-officers, I take pleasure in noticing the 
conduct of the late and lamented Lieut. Col. W. H. Watson, of the Wash¬ 
ington and Baltimore battalion of Volunteers, who fell at the head of his 
command, whilst gallantly leading it against the enemy’s works; as also 
that of Major W. W. Lear, commanding Third Infantry, who was danger- 



DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


183 


ously wounded in the same assault, for which good service, I present his 
name for praise and promotion. Lieutenants G. W. F. Wood, First Infan¬ 
try, and W. T. H. Brooks, Third Infantry, were actively and usefully em¬ 
ployed as acting Assistant Adjutant Generals—the former to Lieut. Col. H. 
Wilson, Fourth Brigade, and the latter to Lieut. Col. J. Garland, of the 
Third Brigade. They were both dismounted by the enemy’s artillery. 

My staff officers, Lieut. D. C. Buell, Third Infantry, acting Assistant Ad¬ 
jutant General, and Lieut. P. W. McDonald, Second Dragoons, aid-de- 
camp, rendered me valuable and meritorious services, in exposed positions, 
during the time my division was engaged with the enemy. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

D. E. TWIGGS, 

Brig. General U. S. A., Com. First Division. 

Major W. W. S. Bliss, Asst. Adft Gen. Army of Occupation. 

Note. —After Major W. W. Lear and Capt. H. Bainbridge left the Third 
Infantry, wounded, that regiment was led and commanded by Capt. W. S. 
Henry, Third Infantry, until the close of the day. 


HEAD-q.UARTEKS, TeXAS FORCES, 

Monterey, October 1 , 1846. 

Sir: —In submitting a report of the disposition and conduct of the Texas 
Volunteers under my command, during the recent assault upon, and cap¬ 
ture of the city of Monterey, I shall endeavor to avoid unnecessary de¬ 
tails, and confine myself chiefly to a brief statement of such leading and 
material facts as may seem to be worthy of record, and necessary to a 
right understanding of the character and services of my people. 

The Texas mounted men arrived in Monterey, in advance of the balance 
of the army, (being honored with that position,) and displayed themselves 
on the plain in front of the city, with the expectation of immediate battle 
—an expectation founded upon some demonstrations of the foe. The 
enemy, however, soon evincing an indisposition to bring on a general en¬ 
gagement, my forces, after some reconnoitering, retired, under your orders, 
to the place of encampment, to await the arrival of the balance of the 
army. This was on the 19th of September. 

In obedience to your orders, the First regiment of my command was 
placed, on the 20th ult., under the control of Gen. Worth; ana I am proud 
that it had the honor of co-operating in all the brilliant operations of thai 
distinguished officer. An official account of his bold and successful attack 
upon the upper part of the city, has, no doubt, been already furnished 




184 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


you; and the essential services rendered by the Texas troops upon that 
occasion, cannot be otherwise than a source of exceeding gratification to 
me, as a Texian, as well as an American—a gratification which is greatly 
heightened by the reflection, that the merits of that gallant band are fully 
appreciated by yourself, as well as by the talented and high-spirited officer 
(Gen. Worth,) whose military genius guided their valor and conducted to 
victory. 

On the 21st ult., I was ordered, with my Second regiment, to the support 
of Gen. Worth; but on arriving at the gorge of the mountain, I received 
instructions to countermarch and rejoin the forces under your immediate 
command, which had commenced an assault upon one of the enemy’s 
strongholds near the lower part of the city. Before I could arrive, how¬ 
ever, at the theatre of action, the point assailed was triumphantly carried; 
and my men had the mortifying disappointment of not sharing the dangers 
and participating in the glory of the day. 

Hostilities not being resumed on the 22d, the regiment was variously 
employed during the day in visiting the Caldarete road, reconnoitering the 
suburbs of the city, and courting a conflict with the mounted rancheros 
and lancers, who, it was supposed, might be encouraged to meet us by 
their superior numbers. This, however, the}' - carefully avoided: and the 
regiment continued its system of vigilance until the morning of the 23d, 
when I was ordered by yourself to repair to the support of Gen. Quitman, 
who was in hot engagement with the enemy in the lower part of the city. 
My union with him was effected under a severe fire of the foe; but, on 
reaching the place of action, I was pleased to find his troops in good heart, 
holding the enemy at bay, though greatly fatigued by present and previous 
toils. My first order to my men was to enter the houses, scale the walls, 
and fight the enemy in his own way—that is, under cover and from the 
tops of the houses. The order was promptly obeyed; and in this manner, 
working through the walls and shooting from the parapet roofs, we conti¬ 
nued to advance upon the enemy, driving him from one square to another, 
until we arrived within a short distance of the church and grand plaza, 
where the largest portion of the enemy’s force was congregated. Every 
foot was sharply contested by the foe; and nothing but the unflinching 
courage and unerring shot of our men, enabled us to progress against a 
force so vastly superior in numbers to ours. The fight on the part of the 
Texians commenced about 11 o’clock in the forenoon, and continued with¬ 
out cessation until they were called off by your order, towards the close 
of the day. They retired with reluctance, from a perfect confidence in 
their ability to continue their onward movement, and to hold the city as 
far as they might extend their capture. Our loss, under the circumstances, 




185 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 

was surprisingly small, being only one killed and five wounded. That of 
the enemy is not known; but we have reason to believe that it was consi¬ 
derable, not only from their own acknowledgments, but also from the signs 
of blood, as well as from the fact that our men seldom fired except with 
great deliberation, and only tvhere an object was in view. 

I have no observations to offer upon the events of the day, further 
than to express my unbounded admiration of the indomitable cou¬ 
rage and perseverance exhibited in the attack; and to reiterate the re¬ 
gret experienced by men at being called upon, in the height of suc¬ 
cess and confidence, to retire from the field of their operations. A 
sense of duty constrains me also to a public acknowledgment of the 
good conduct of the command with which I had been ordered to co¬ 
operate. Gen. Quitman, however, a brave and excellent officer, will do 
justice to the merits of his own men. Col. Davis, of that command, 
I am told, was the first to receive and return the shot of the enemy; 
and was among the last to retire from the contest. I had the pleasure 
of his company during the greater part of the fight, and am proud of the 
opportunity of bearing testimony to his gallant conduct. I beg leave, 
also, under the authority of Gen. Lamar, to compliment Lieut. Thomas, 
of the Artillery, and his brave men, for the bold advance and efficient ma¬ 
nagement of the gun under his charge. When ordered to retire, he re¬ 
loaded his piece, and fired a farewell shot at the foe, and returned (we 
hope without loss) under a shower of bullets. Special praise is due to the 
young soldier who levelled the gun, for the cool and deliberate manner 
with which he executed his duty, amidst the most imminent danger. His 
name is not known. 

In the distribution of honors among my own people, I am sensible of 
the responsibility of the task, and^of the great difficulty of executing it to 
the satisfaction of all. That some should accomplish more than others, is 
a law of nature. It may be the result not so much of superior merit, as 
of mere superiority in physical strength, and other adventitious circum¬ 
stances. But on occasions like the present, where all did their duty, and 
did it well, it would seem to be proper and just that their fame should be 
a common one. For this reason, and other considerations, I must avoid 
the indulgence of individual eulogy altogether, except so far as it may be 
inseparable from an exposition of “the conduct of my staff, which I feel 
bound to make, inasmuch as I am in some degree responsible to the public 
for their behavior. Major Clarke, my junior aid, who had rendered him¬ 
self useful to me on many occasions, was an active officer, conducting 
himself in battle with the true spirit of the soldier, and had the honor of 
being the first in the regiment to enter the city. He was rapidly followed 
q2 


186 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


by Mr. Walter Winn, (a worthy gentleman and a soldier of San Jacinto,) 
who was connected with my military family as the secretary of General 
Lamar. During the hottest of the contest he was frequently by my side, 
and also acted with Major Clarke in the transmission of my orders, in the face 
of many perils. Gen. Burleson, my senior aid, had accompanied the com¬ 
mand of Gen. Worth and acquired fresh laurels for himself, and added new 
lustre to the arms of Texas. Gen. Lamar, my division inspector, (acting 
also as adjutant,) was mainly instrumental in causing my troops to be 
called into requisition. He had accompanied Gen. Quitman in the occu¬ 
pancy of a point in the lower part of the city, where the battle commenced; 
and it was at his suggestion that a messenger was despatched for my com¬ 
mand. He was found in active co-operation with the Mississippi and 
Tennessee troops, but rejoined my regiment on its arrival, and acted, dur¬ 
ing the balance of the fight, with the Texians. Fully satisfied throughout 
with the conduct of each, I take this method of returning them my sincere 
thanks, as well ns my best wishes for their welfare; and beg leave also to 
embrace the opportunity of tendering my gratitude and admiration to the 
whole force under my command—officers and soldiers—for the important 
service^ rendered their country, and the noble manner in which they have 
sustained the honor and chivalry of their state. 

In doing justice to the living, let us not be forgetful of the dead. Among 
the fallen in my command, we have been called upon to mourn the fate of 
a young officer, who was the brightest ornament of the service, the soul 
of honor, and the pride of chivalry. He had long been employed by the 
government of Texas in defence of the western frontier, as the commander 
of a corps of mounted rangers; and probably no officer ever performed 
his duty with more activity and efficiency, or with more satisfaction to the 
country. He possessed nothing of the rough habits, ignorance, and pre¬ 
suming forwardness which is usually supposed to attach to the frontier 
soldier. He was an educated man, and a gentleman by nature; quiet in 
his manners ; amiable in temper; just in his dealings; and strictly moral 
in all his habits. During his connection with the present campaign, his 
deportment was such—so marked by a happy union of modesty with bra¬ 
very, and dignity with obedience—as to win the hearts of all and consti¬ 
tute him the chief favorite of the army. He followed the fortunes of 
General Worth—shared in all the dangers of the command—and closed 
his brilliant career amidst the shouts of victory. Though feeble in frame, 
the inspiring energies of his mind enabled him to keep in advance of his 
comrades; so that in the storming of the Bishop’s hill, he was the fore¬ 
most man and the first victim upon the ramparts of the foe. He was 
buried where he fell—upon the loftiest summit—and the mountain that 




DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


187 


encloses his remains, will stand an eternal monument of his glory: it will 
be known in history, and long frequented by his grateful countrymen, as 
the grave of Gillespie. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. PINKNEY HENDERSON, 

Major Gen. Corn’g the Tex. Vol. 

Major Gen. Zachary Taylor, Comd’g the Army of Occupation. 


Head-q.uarters, Third Brigade, 

Camp at Walnut Springs, three miles from Monterey, Sept. 29, 1846. 

General :—Pursuant to the order of the commanding general and your¬ 
self, given to me on the morning of the 21st inst., on the field, I moved to 
a safe position with the Third’ Infantry, two hundred and forty strong, and 
while awaiting a summons from the chiefEngineer (Major Mansfield) to 
advance, Lieut. Col. Wilson, First Infantry, joined me with that regiment, 
and the Baltimore battalion—the former one hundred and thirty strong, and 
the latter two hundred and twenty-nine, making in all six hundred and 
forty-one bayonets. In a few minutes after this junction, the chief Engi¬ 
neer despatched Lieut. Pope for a Light Infantry company to support him 
in making his reconnoissance. The leading company of the Third Infan¬ 
try, under Lieut. Hazlitt, was immediately ordered forward. In a short 
time afterwards, another company was applied for, and Capt. Field, of the 
Third Infantry, was detached. They had proceeded about a quarter of a 
mile, when Major Mansfield sent a request for my whole command to ad¬ 
vance in supporting distance. This was promptly done, and in a few mi¬ 
nutes a request was followed for me to advance in line of battle. In mov¬ 
ing forward in this order we soon encountered a direct fire of artillery from 
redoubt No. 1, and an enfilading fire from the citadel. I then ordered the 
command to quicken their pace ; this soon brought us within the range 
of their musketry. The chief engineer then indicated a movement to the 
right, which would enable us to gain a position in the town and in rear of 
the first redoubt. We soon found ourselves in narrow streets, where we 
received a most destructive fire from three directions. Near this point, 
Capt. Bragg came up with his battery and asked for orders. One gun was 
speedily placed in a position to rake a narrow street from the direction of 
which we had sustained some loss, but finding after several shots that but 
little impression could be made upon the barricades, I ordered the captain 
to retire with his battery to a place of greater security. The Infantry 
continued to press ahead until the chief Engineer, then wounded and 
seeming to have no care for himself, advised us to retire to another posi- 





188 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


tion, where, according to my understanding of the order, to support and 
consult with Major Mansfield. I yielded to his suggestion, and directed 
the command to retire in good order. This was not done, however, until 
we had lost many men, and some of the most valuable and accomplished 
officers of the army. At this time Major Lear, whilst gallantly leading his 
regiment, (the Third Infantry,) was wounded and totally disabled; his 
high-toned adjutant, (Lieut. Irwin,) and the noble Barbour, were killed; 
and Capt. Williams, of the Topographical Engineers, and Lieut. Terrett, 
of the First Infantry, mortally wounded. Brevet Major Abercrombie was 
also wounded at my side and thrown from his horse. Capt. Lamotte had 
been badly wounded more than a hundred yards in advance of this point 
and in the direction of the first redoubt, where Capt. Backus, with indomi¬ 
table courage and perseverance, had succeeded with his company in 
gaining the roof of a stone building, and not hearing the order to retire, 
continued to pour a galling fire into the rear of the redoubt, until the 
Volunteers of Gen. Quitman’s brigade rushed in, took it, and kept it. 

As soon as my command was reunited and put in order, having been 
joined by the Fourth Infantry, which had at this time suffered considerable 
loss, both in officers and men, the ever to be lamented Hoskins, and the 
distinguished Woods having been killed, and Lieut. Graham badly wounded, 
in an assault upon the first redoubt, I was ordered to advance again, and 
if possible, carry the second redoubt at the point of the bayonet. In at¬ 
tempting the execution of this order, with not more than half my original 
force, I passed several barricaded streets, raked both by artillery and in¬ 
fantry, until I believed the command sufficiently advanced into the town 
to enable me to enter the rear of the redoubt. I then directed Capt. Mor¬ 
ris, who headed the Third Infantry, to enter the back of a garden to his 
left, and press forward to the street nearest the rivulet. Brevet Major Gra¬ 
ham, with the remnant of the Fourth Infantry, followed. These two com¬ 
mands, although few in number, sustained themselves in the most admira¬ 
ble manner, under the heaviest fire of the day; for instead of the second 
redoubt, of which we were in search, we unluckily ran foul of a tete de 
pont, the strongest defence of the city, and from the opposite side of the 
bridge two pieces of artillery were brought to bear upon us at a little 
more than a hundred yards’ distance. Here the brave Morris fell, and also 
his friend Lieut. Hazlett, who had just placed him in a house. Capt. 
Henry, who succeeded to the command of the Third Infantry, Capt. Bain- 
bridge having been wounded and retired, and Brevet Major Graham, the 
senior officer at this point, with the Fourth, in their exposed situation, 
maintained their position against fearful odds, until their ammunition be¬ 
gan to fail, when hearing nothing of the battery for which two staff officers 



DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


189 


had at different times been despatched, I reluctantly ordered the truly 
Spartan band to retire, and I am proud to say, under all their afflictions, 
it was accomplished in good order. Lieut. Col. Wilson was with me 
during the greater part of this last struggle, and displayed great personal 
courage. His command was, however, so much dispersed, that I saw but 
little of it- Brevet Major Allen was also by my side. Capt. Shivers, 
with his independent company of Volunteers, performed admirable service. 
They were with Bragg's battery during the greater part of the day. 

It is impossible for me to speak of the many individual acts of gallantry, 
both of officers and men, during this day of trial. Their conduct was 
worthy of all praise. I cannot let the opportunity pass by to express my 
warmest thanks to Lieut. Brooks, acting assistant adjutant general, whose 
horse was killed under him; and to Capt. George Mason Graham, of the 
Louisiana Volunteers, my acting aid-de-camp, for the efficient services they 
rendered me, in communicating orders throughout the day, incurring, as 
they did, the greatest personal danger. If it Were not out of place, I would 
also mention the name of Lieut. Pope, of the Topographical Engineers, 
who deported himself as a gallant soldier, under the heaviest fire of the 
enemy. 

I cannot trust myself to speak of the gallant Col. Watson, that sterling 
officer, Capt. Field, and the other distinguished dead. This must be done 
by others, whose grief is less profound. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JNO. GARLAND, 

Lieut. Col. Fourth Infantry, Commanding Third Brigade. 

Brig. Gen. D. E. Twiggs, 

U. S. A., Commanding First Division. 


GEN. WORTH’S GENERAL ORDER. 

HEAD-aUARTKItS, SECOND DlVISIOX, 

Monterey, September 28, 1845. 

The Commanding General of Division seizes the first instant of leisure 
to tender to the officers and soldiers of his command the expression of his 
thanks and admiration. During the three days’ operations, and down to 
the final capitulation of this important position, until after they have seen 
nearly twice their numbers defile before them in retreat—whether on the 
fatiguing march, in combat, in the valley or on the mountains, on the 
house-tops or in the streets, this noble Division has given an exhibition of 
courage, constancy, and discipline above all praise, and a generous and 





190 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


manly forbearance towards fallen and humiliated foes, which bear compari¬ 
son with the proudest achievements that grace the annals of their country. 

The General feels assured that every individual in the command unites 
with him in admiration of the distinguished gallantry and conduct of Col. 
Hays and his noble band of Texan volunteers. Hereafter they and we are 
brothers, and we can desire no better guaranty of success than by their 
association. 

To Brig. Gen. Smith, commanding Second brigade; Lieut. Col. Stam¬ 
ford, First brigade; Lieut. Col. Childs, Artillery battalion; Major Scott, 
Fifth Infantry; Capt. Miles, Seventh Infantry; Capt. Smith, Second Artil¬ 
lery, commanding Light troops; Capt. Scriven, Eighth Infantry; to Capt. 
Blanchard, Louisiana Volunteers; Lieut. Col. Duncan and Lieut. Mackall, 
he tenders all his thanks and respect. To the gentlemen of the staff, 
Major Munroe, chief of Artillery; Capt. Saunders, Military Engineer; 
Lieut. Deas, Division Quarter-master; Lieut. Daniels, Division Commis¬ 
sariat ; Lieut. Meade, Topographical Engineers; Lieuts. Pemberton and 
Wood, Aids-de-Camp, his special thanks are due, for the alacrity, zeal, 
and gallantry with which they have performed every service. To Col. 
Peyton, Louisiana Volunteers, who did him the honor to tender his very 
acceptable services as aid-de-camp, he feels under especial obligations for 
his valuable counsel and splendid exhibition of courage. 

To the General himself, the highest and proudest gratification is, that 
such fortunate results have been attained with comparatively so small 
sacrifice of the precious blood of the soldier. 

By order of Brig. Gen. Worth : 

J. C. PEMBERTON, 

First Lieutenant and Aid-de-Camp. 


DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


191 


m 

NAMES OF THE KILLED, WOUNDED, AND MISSING, 

On the part of the American Army , in the storming of Monterey, on the 21sf, and 
the subsequent engagements on the 22 d and 23 d of Septe?7iber, 1846. 


GEN. TWIGGS’S DIVISION. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Regiment. 

Comp. 

KILLED. 

William H. Watson... 

Lieut. Col. 

Balt. Yol. 


L. N. Morris. 

Captain 

3d Inf. 


G. P. Field. 

do. 

do. 


P. N. Barbour. 

Brevet Major 

do. 


C. Hoskins. 

1st Lieut. & Ad. 

4th Inf. 


J. C. Terrett. 

1st Lieut. 

1st Inf. 


D. S. Irwin. 

1st Lieut. & Ad. 

3d Inf. 


R. Haslett. 

2d Lieut. 

do. 


J. S. Woods. 

Bvt. 1st Lieut. 

2d Inf. 


R. Dilworth. 

Bvt. 2d Lieut. 

1st Inf. 


George Waitman. 

1st Sergeant 

3d Artil. 

E 

John Eagle. 

Private 

do. 

E 

Lovel Gregory. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Henry Snower. 

do. 

do. 

E 

T. J. Babb. 

Sergeant 

3d Inf. 

D 

W. Patrick. 

Private 

do. 

D 

J. Newman. 

do. 

do. 

D 

C. Torskay. 

do. 

do. 

D 

J. Young.... •. 

do. 

do. 

D 

William Brown. 

Sergeant 

do. 

F 

William Mickle. 

Private 

do. 

F 

J. Harper. 

do. 

do. 

F 

C. K. Brown. 

do. 

do. 

H 

J. Stubert. 

do. 

do. 

H 

Edgar Lavalette. 

do. 

do. 

I 

Edward Reilly. 

do. 

do. 

K 

Benjamin Bradt. 

Corporal 

4th Inf. 

E 

Thomas Salsbury. 

Private 

do. 

A 

Henry Coniine. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Edward Carey. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Allen J. Vanceal. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Michael McGouth. 

do. 

do. 

E 

John Weeks. 

do. 

do. 

E 

James S. Doble. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Peter Andrews. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Peter Judge. 

do. 

do. 

E 

James C. Pennington.. 

do. 

Texas V. 


Martin Enwul. 

do. 

1st Inf. 

E 

Thomas W. Gibson.... 

do. 

do. 

G 

Thomas Perkins. 

do. 

do. 

G 

Lawson Stuart. 

do. 

do. 

G 
























































192 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Gen. Tunggs’s Division —continued. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Regiment. 

Comp. 

Remarks. 

KILLED. 





Joseph Wolf.. 

Private 

1st Inf. 

G 


George Beck. 

do. 

do. 

G 


Richard Bun chan. 

do. 

do. 

C 

• 

H. K. Brown. 

do. 

do. 

C 


J. Carroll. 

do. 

do. 

C 


Marcus French. 

do. 

do. 

K 


John Savage . 

do. 

do. 

K 


Micah Hatch. 

do. 

do. 

E 


William Raymond. 

do. 

do. 

E 


Francis Sheridan. 

Corporal 

do. 

E 


John Truscott. 

1st Sergeant 

Balt. Bat. 

B 


G. A. Herring. 

Sergeant 

do. 

F 


Alexander Ramsay .... 

Private 

do. 

E 


Joseph Worry. 

do. 

do. 

E 


Patrick O'Brien. 

do. 

do. 

u 


WOUNDED. 





W. W. Lear. 

Major 

3d Inf. 


Severely. 

H. Bainbridge. 

Captain 

do; 

B 

Slightly. 

J. J. Abercrombie. 

Brev. Major 

1st Inf. 

B 

do. 

J. F. H. Mansfield. 

do. 

Top. Eng. 


do. 

W. G. Williams. 

Captain 

do. 


Mortally. 

J. H. Lemott. 

do. 

1st Inf. 

B 

Severely. 

R. H. Graham. 

1st Lieut. . 

4th Inf. 

B 

Since dead. 

Philip Swartwout. 

John Edwards. 

Sergeant 

Private 

3d Art. 

2d Drag. 

C 

Slightly. 

William P. Holschea.. 

do. 

3d Art. 

C 

do. 

John Lee. 

do. 

do. 

C 

do. 

Michael McCarthy. 

do. 

do. 

C 

do. 

Theodore Fricken. 

do. 

do. 

c 

do. 

Bendt Nelson. 

do. 

do. 

c 

do. 

Bartholomew Stokes... 

do. 

2d Drag. 

B 

do. 

George Wolf. 

Corporal 

3d Art. 

E 

do. 

S. D. Coal. 

Private 

do. 

E 

Severely. 

Thomas Heuson. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

William Gilmore. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

John McCarthy. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

M. Reilly. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

W. R. Goed. 

Corporal 

do. 

E 

Slightly. 

Austin Clark. 

Private 

do. 

E 

Mortally. 

P. E. Holcomb. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Slightly. 

Thomas Waj an. 

Musician 

3d Inf. 


Severely. 

G. Brownley. 

Sergeant 

do. 

A 

do. 

Emit Hadduck. 

Private 

do. 

C 

Slightly. 

D. Maloney. 

do. 

do. 

C 

do. 

J. Hogan. 

do. 

do. 

C 

do. 

P. White. 

do. 

do. 

c 

do. 

C. Ichle. 

do. 

do. 

c 

Severely. 

N. Farlev.. 

do. 

do 

c 

do. 

































































DESPATCHES OK CEJS. TAYLOR 


193 


Gen. Twiggs's Divisin. —continued. 


Names. 

Rank. 

; 

Regiment. 

jcomp. 

Remarks. 

i 

WOUNDED. 

C. Leslie. 

Private 

3d Inf. 

D 

Severely. 

D. Preslie. 

do. 

do. 

D 

do. 

J. D. Ritters. 

do. 

do. 

D 

do. 

W. H. McDonnell. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Slightly. 

Ischa B. Tucker. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Severely. 

M. Tyler. 

do. 

do. 

F 

do. 

Joseph Morris. 

do. 

do. 

F 

do. 

W. Mullen. 

do. 

do. 

H 

do. 

W. Rooke. 

do. 

do. 

H 

do. 

J. Treel... 

do. 

do. 

H 

do. 

D. Boyle. 

do. 

do. 

H 

Slightly. 

T. Clair. 

do. 

do. 

H 

do. 

William H. Bowden... 

do. 

do. 

I 

Severely. 

J. Mansfield. 

do. 

do. 

I 

do. 

C. Adams. 

do. 

do. 

I 

do. 

Edward Astin. 

do. 

do. 

I 

do. 

James Calhoun. 

do. 

do. 

I 

do. 

J. Kerns. 

do. 

do. 

I 

do. 

M. Regan. 

do. 

do. 

I 

do. 

L. Sours. 

do. 

do. 

K 

do. 

David Fottsdaner. 

do. 

do. 

K 

do. 

G. E. Radwell. 

do. 

do. 

K 

do. 

Thomas O’Bryen. 

do. 

do. 

K 

do. 

George W. Anderson .. 

Sergeant 

4th Inf. 

A 

Slightly. 

Robert Sanders. 

do. 

do. 

B 

Dangerously. 

Thomas Mannigan .... 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

James Ryan. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Severely. 

Thomas Hyam. 

Corporal 

do. 

A 

do. 

James Wyley. 

do. 

do. 

B 

Dangerously. 

Daniel McDonnell. 

do. 

do. 

C 

Slightly. 

William Albison. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Severely. 

Matthew McCormick .. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

William Taylor. 

Private 

do. 

A 

do. 

E. Henderson. 

do. 

do. 

A 

Slightly. 

William Holborn. 

do. 

do. 

A 

Severely. 

William Petty. 

do. 

do. 

A 

Dangerously. 

William Johnson. 

do. - 

do. 

A 

Slightly. 

John Hill. 

do. 

do. 

C 

Severely. 

E. Barnum. 

do. 

do. 

D 

do. 

Robert Halden. 

do. 

do. 

D 

do. 

William A. Jones. 

do. 

do. 

D 

do. 

James Myers. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Slightly. 

Aaron Wriggle. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Severely. 

Andrew Smith. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Since dead. 

William C. Jones. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Dangerously. 

John Maguire. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Severely. 

John McDuffy. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Dangerously. 

John Banks. 

1st Sergeant 

1st Inf. 

K 

Slightly. 


R J8 






































































194 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Gen. Twiggs’s Division —continued. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Regiment. 

Comp. 

Remarks. 

WOUNDED. 





Patrick Myles . 

1st Sergeant 

1st Inf. 

K 

Severely. 

E. Bessie. 

do. 

do. 

E 

Slightly. 

T. H. Haller,. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

John Tigart. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

E. Garver. 

do. 

do. 

C 

Severely. 

Denton Conner. 

Corporal 

do. 

G 

do. 

Robert Aikens. 

do. 

do. 

C 

do. 

Augustus Lapple. 

do. 

do. 

c 

do. 

C. Smith . 

Musician 

do. 

K 

Slightly. 

William McCarty . 

Private 

do. 

K 

Severely. 

Patrick Neele . 

do. 

do. 

K 

Slightly. 

John Saunders . 

do. 

do. 

K 

do. 

William Norlin . 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

Robert E. Wooley . 

do. 

do. 

E 

Severely. 

James Crawley . 

do. 

do. 

G 

Slightly. 

H. Duchart . 

do. 

do. 

G 

do. 

Francis Faulkler . 

do. 

do. 

G 

Severely. 

A. Ryan . 

do. 

do. 

G 

Slightly. 

John Wilson. 

do. 

do. 

G 

do. 

Jacob Smidt. 

do. 

do. 

G 

Severely. 

Charles Ratcliffe. 

do. 

do. 

G 

Slightly. 

James Delany. 

do. 

do. 

K 

Severely. 

H. Schrieder. 

do. 

do. 

G 

do. 

John Gallagher. 

do. 

do. ■ 

C 

do. 

Levi Smith. 

do. 

do. 

G 

do. 

Peter M. Cabe. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

W. P. Poulson. 

1st Sergeant 

Balt. Bat. 

B 

Slightly. 

Robert Caples. 

Private 

do. 

A 

Dangerously. 

James Piles. 

do. 

do. 

A 

Severely. 

Albert Hart. 

do. 

do. 

A 

do. 

William Lee. 

do. 

do. 

A 

do. 

Jacob Hemming. 

do. 

do. 

B 

Slightly. 

George Aunuld. 

do. 

do. 

B 

Severely. 

Charles Peck. 

do. 

do. 

D 

Slightly. 

Andrew J. Norris. 

do. 

do. 

D 

do. 

George Allen. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

James Henry. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

Harry El ting. 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

William Kelly. 

do. 

do. 

F 

Severely. 

H. Gifford. 

do. 

do. 

F 

Slightly. 

Melvin J. Stone. 

do. 

do. 

F 

do. 

E. W. Stevenson. 

do. 

do. 

F 

do. 

William P. Alexander . 

do. 

do. 

A 

Severely. 

MISSING. 




E. Gormley. 

Private 

3d Inf. 

I 

Presumed to be 

George O’Brien. 

do. 

do. 

I 

dead. 


































































DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


195 


GEN. BUTLER’S DIVISION.—OHIO REGIMENT. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Comp. 

KILLED. 

Matthew Hett. 

1st Lieut. 


W. G. Davis. 

1st Sergeant 
Private 

B 

D. F. Smith. 

B 

O. B. Coxe. 

do. 

B 

Elijah Reese. 

do. 

B 

Thomas McMurray. 

do. 

B 

W. H. Harris.,1. 

Corporal 

Private 

1 R 

Richard Welsh. 

A 

James McCockey. 

do. 

C 

George Phale. 

do. 

C 

William Weber. 

do. 

C 

John Havolett.. 

do. 

D 

T. D. Evan. 

do. 

E 

Stephen Freeman. 

do. 

2 R 

Ose.ar Bphnee. 

do. 

2 R 

WOUNDED. 

W. 0. Butler. 

Major Gen. 
Colonel. 


A. M. Mitchell.... 

- 

A. W. Armstrong. 

Lieut. & Ad. 

_ 

Lewis Morler. 

1st Lieut. 

... 

N. H. Niles. 

do. 

— 

H. McCartv. 

2d Lieut. 

_ 

.Tames Georve. 

Captain 

Private 

— 

Samuel TVTvers.... 

1R 

.Tnsiah A. TCellam.... 

do. 

1 R 

Edward Wade. 

do. 

1 R 

AATdllinm IVTalnnev. 

1st Sergeant 
Private 

A 

Tnhn Farrell. 

A 

Tnhn Glarken. 

do. 

A 

Wil 1 iam Wnrlr.. 

do. 

A 

n'linma« Vande Venter.. 

do. 

A 

Tnhn Flannio-pn. 

do. 

A 

Tprpmi a Y\ T?.va n.... 

do. 

A 

Min ha el Gi Divan. 

do. 

A 

Tobias "Went ,,.,. 

do. 

C 

(Charles Sevar. 

do. 

C 

Griffin T.nwerd.. 

do. 

D 

AlfrpH Tlnnaahne.. 

do. 

D 

fnQPrrVi T.nmhpplf. 

do. 

D 

Silas Bnrrill .. 

do. 

D 

Wi 11 iam Mlller.... 

Sergeant 

E 

G W Fit/hnp’h . 

Corporal 

Private 

E 

ltnhprl TTnnev. 

E 

Adam F Shane. 

do. 

G 

Tnhn Fletehpr. 

do. 

G 

A R ATrKep , Tt# . 

do. 

G 

r^pnrcrp IVTvPr . . . . ... 

Corporal 

Private 

H 

E. J. Spoole. 

H 


Remarks. 


Severely. 

do. 


Slightly. 

Severely. 

Slightly. 

do. 






























































196 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Gen. Butler's Division —continued. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Comp. 

Remark*. 

WOUNDED. 




Henry Weber. 

Private 

H 


Henry Myer. 

do. 

H 


George Webster. 

Sergeant 

2 R 


George Longfellow. 

do. 

2 R 


John F. Longley. 

Corporal 

2 R 


John Pearson. 

Private 

2 R 

Died since. 

R. H. Alcott. 

do. 

2 R 


Henry Humphries. 

do. 

2 R 


TENNESSEE REGIMENT. 



KILLED. 




W. B. Allen. 

S. M. Putnam. 

John B. Porter. 

Captain 

2d Lieut. 

Private 

C 


William H. Robinson. 

do. 

C 


John A. Hill. 

Sergeant 

D 


B. F. Coffee... 

Private 

D 


E. W. Thomas. 

do. 

E 


Booker H. Dolton. 

do. 

F 


Isaac Gurman Elliot. 

do. 

G 


Peter H. Martin. 

do. 

G 


Edward Pryor. 

do. 

G 


Benjamin Soaper. 

do. 

G 


Henry Collins. 

do. 

H 


James H. Allison. 

do. 

I 


James H. Johnston. 

do. 

I 


James B. Turner. 

do. 

I 


R. D. Willis. 

do. 

I 


Joseph B. Burkilt. 

do. 

K 


James M. L. Campbell. 

do. 

K 


A. J. Eaton. 

do. 

K 


A. J. Gibson. 

do. 

K 


Finlay Glover. 

do. 

K 


A. J. Pratt. 

do. 

K 


William Rhodes. 

do. 

K 


John W. Sanders. 

do. 

K 


G. W. Wilson. 

do. 

K 


WOUNDED. 




R. B. Alexander. 

Major 


Severely. 

J. L. Scudder. 

1st Lieut. 


do. 

G. H. Nixon. 

do. 


Slightly. 

J. C. Allen. 

2d Lieut. 


Severely. 

F. F. Winston. 

Corporal 

B 

Slightly. 

J. L. Bryant. 

Private 

B 

Severely. 

Alexander Bigam. 

do. 

B 

do. 

D. C. Fleming. 

do. 

B 

do. 

Mackey Roney. 

do. 

B 

do. 

Samuel Davis. 

do. 

B 

do. 































































DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


197 


Gen . Butler's Division —continued. 


Name*. 

, Rank. 

Comp. 

Remark*. 

WOUNDED. 

James Thompson . 

Private 

B 

Severely. 

do. 

David Collins . 

do. 

B 

A. S. Duval . 

do. 

B 

Slightly. 

do. 

T. B. Powell . 

do. 

B 

William B. Davis. 

do. 

C 

do. 

Joseph Law . 

do. 

c 

do. 

James York . 

do. 

c 

Mortally. 

William Young . 

do. 

c 

Richard Gifford. 

do. 

c 

Slightly. 

do. 

A. V. Stanfield. 

do. 

c 

Asa Lamb . 

do. 

c 

do. 

J. J. Argo . 

Corporal 

Private 

D 

do. 

James Todd. 

D 

Severely. 

do. 

Thomas Yickens . 

do. 

D 

W. D. Cabler. 

do. 

E 

Since dead. 

James M. Yance. 

1st Sergeant 
Sergeant 

Private 

F 

Severely. 

Slightly. 

do. 

George W. Gilbert . 

F 

Charles M. Talley . 

F 

Michael Crantze. 

do. 

F 

Severely. 

do. 

R. C. Locke. 

do. 

F 

J. F. Raphile. 

do. 

F 

Since dead. 

Thomas Kelly . 

do. 

F 

Severely. 

do. 

Albert Tomlinson . 

do. 

F 

Julius C. Elliott . 

Corporal 

Private 

G 

do. 

R. A. Cole ... 

G 

Slightly. 

Severely. 

do. 

James H. Jenkins . 

do. 

G 

A. G. Sfpwart . 

do. 

G 

Gnlinjrpr Wnlf . 

Sergeant 

Corporal 

Private 

H 

do. 

.Tamps Paltprson . 

H 

Slightly. 

do. 

Chari ps Arnold . 

H 

.1. .T. Rlap.kxvpll . 

do. 

H 

do. 

.Tnspnh Crnfp.hfip.1d .. 

do. 

H 

do. 

.T. Frppman ... 

do. 

H 

Severely. 

J. D. Gilmer ... 

do. 

H 

do. 

P. 0. Hale . 

do. 

H 

Slightly. 

Ramp] C Kino - . . 

do. 

H 

Severely. 

C R Macrii irp . 

do. 

H 

do. 

S S, Rpavp^. .. 

do. 

H 

do. 

A W Rpavps . 

do. 

H 

Slightly. 

A n an n StPVPTis.-. 

do. 

H 

do. 

Thomas TV. Smith - .. 

do. 

H 

do. 

C B Ward . 

do. 

H 

do. 

r.ho rips T)a vis....... 

1st Sergeant 
Corporal 

Private 

I 

Severely. 

Or.Viort W Crppn .. 

I 

do. 

PH Rrourn .. 

I 

do. 

W TP Rowen ... 

do. 

I 

do. ^ 

Potur Flnolps . ••••■ 

do. 

I 

do. 

PaKort Rian moan. 

do. 

I 

do. 

illiam Lowery. . 

do. 

I 

do. 


R 2 






























































198 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Gen. Butler's Division —continued. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Comp. 

Remarks. 

WOUNDED. 




S. N. Macey. 

Private 

I 

Slightly. 

E. G. Zachary. 

do. 

I 

Severely. 

W. M. Alfred . 

Corporal 

K 

do* 

John H. Kay. 

do. 

K 

do. 

A. S. Alexander. 

Private 

K 

do. 

M. C. Abinathy. 

do. 

K 

Slightly. 

Jesse Brashars. 

do. 

K 

Severely. 

J. M. Bailey. 

do. 

K 

do. 

Campbell G. Boyd. 

do. 

K 

do. 

B. L. Commons. 

do. 

K 

Slightly. 

J. W. Curtis. 

do. 

K 

Severely. 

H. H. Dadson. 

do. 

K 

do. 

John Gavin. 

do. 

K 

Slightly. 

Aaron Parks .. 

do. 

K 

do. 

F. Richardson. 

do. 

K 

Severely. 

A. 0. Richardson . 

do. 

K 

do. 

Thomas C. Ramsay . 

do. 

K 

do. 

John Vining. 

do. 

K 

do. 

M. D. Watson. 

do. 

K 

do. 

Thomas Thompson . 

do. 

F 


MISSING. 




Felix Wordzincki. 

Private 

F 


R. R. Morehead. 

do. 

I 1 


MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT. 



KILLED. 




L. M. Troeur. 

Private 

C 


Silas Mitcham. 

• do. 

E 


Samuel Potts. 

cfo. 

G 


Joseph H. Tenelle. 

do. 

H 


William H. Grisam. 

Corporal 

I 


Joseph Heaton. 

Private 

I 


Joseph Downing. 

do. 

I 


Daniel D. Dubois. . 

do. 

H 


John M. Tyree . 

do. 

K 


WOUNDED. 




Alexander R. McClung . 

Lieut. Col. 

— 

Dangerously. 

R. N. Downing . 

Captain 

— 

Severely. 

Henry T. Cook . 

1st Lieut. 

— 

Slightly. 

Rufus K. Arthur . 

2d Lieut. 

— 

do. 

1.. T. Howard . 

do. 

- 

Severely. 

Henry H. Miller . 

Private 

B 

Dangerously. 

J. H. Jackson . 

do. 

B 

do. 

A. Lainhart . 

do. 

B 

Severely. 

J. L. Anderson . 

do. 

B 

Slightly. 

G. H.*#ones. 

do. 

B 

do. 

John D. Markham. 

Corporal 

C 

Severely. 

H. B. Thompson. 

Private 

C 

Slightly. 

E. W. Hollingsworth. 

Sergeant 

D 

do. 


































































DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


109 


Gen. Butler's Division —continued. 


Names. 


WOUNDED. 

Dr. G. W. Ramsay. 

Alphius Cobb. 

George Wills. 

W. Huffman. 

O. W. Jones. 

William Orr. 

D. Love. 

Joseph H. Langford ... 

A. P. Barnham. 

H. W. Pierce. 

William Shadt. 


W. H. Fleming. 

Jacob Frederick. 

John Coleman. 

William P. Spencer . 

M. M. Smith. 

James Kilvey. 

J. Williamson. 

A. W. Taig. 

Warren White. 

Robert Bowen. 

Frederick Mathews.. 
Benjamin F. Roberts 

Avery Noland. 

Francis A. Wolf .... 

C. F. Cotton. 

George Williams 
Nathaniel Massie.... 

William H. Bell. 

E. B. Lewis. 

D. B. Lewis. 

Charles Martin. 

James L. Thompson. 

John Stewart. 

John McNorris. 

R. W. Chance- 

P. W. Johnson. 

Robert Grigg. 

Platt Snedicor. 


KENTUCKY 


WOUNDED. 

Valentine Deutche.... 
Lewis Young. 


Rank. 

Comp, 

Remarks. 

Private 

D 

Mortally. 

do. 

D 

Dangerously. 

do. 

D 

Severely. 

do. 

D 

do. 

do. 

D 

do. 

do. 

D 

Slightly. 

do. 

D 

do. 

Sergeant 

E 

do. 

Private 

E 

Mortallv. 

do. 

E 

Dangerously. 

do. 

E 

do. 

do. 

E 

Severely. 

do. 

E 

Slightly. 

do. 

E 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

do. 

E 

do. 

do. 

G 

Dangerously. 

do. 

G 

do. 

do. 

G 

Severely. 

do. 

G 

do. 

do. 

G 

Mortally. 

do. 

G 

Slightly. 

do. 

G 

do. 

Sergeant 

I 

Dangerously. 

Private 

I 

Severely. 

do. 

I 

do. 

do. 

I 

Slightly. 

Sergeant 

K 

Dangerously. 

Private 

K 

do. 

do. 

K 

do. 

do. 

K 

do. 

do. 

K 

Slightly. 

do. 

K 

do. 

do. 

K 

do. 

do. 

B 

Mortally. 

do. 

C 

Severely. 

do. 

H 

Slightly. 

do. 

K 

Mortally. 

REGIMENT. 



Private 



do. 



do. 

I 


do. 

I 


do. 

K 

• 



































































200 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY 


GEN. WORTH’S DIVISION. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Comp. 

Regiment. 

Remarks 

KILLED. 





H. McKavett . 

Captain 

E 

8th Inf. 


W. Rihl. 

Private 

A 

do. 


Charles Hamm. 

do. 

G 

4th Art. 


J. F. Wagner. 

do. 

I 

do. 


- Irwing . 

do. 

I 

do. 


-- Miller. 

do. 

I 

do. 


P. Fickicson. 

do. 

C 

7th Inf. 


S. G. Alleng. 

do. 

Ph. 

La.Vol’s. 


John Francis.. . . 

do. 

Ph. 

do. 


WOUNDED. 





N. L. Rossell. 

1st Lieut. 

. 

5th Inf. 


- Brand. 

Serg. Major 

NCS. 

do. 


- McManus. 

Private 

E 

do. 


- Grubb. 

do. 

G 

do. 


- Schriveigman.. 

do. 

G 

do. 


Bell. 

do. 

H 

do. 


- Ingalls. 

do. 

I 

do. 

Died since. 

- Grelan. 

do. 

K 

do. 


- McGuirk. 

do. 

K 

do. 


-- Hendricks. 

do. 

K 

do. 


R. C. Gatlin. 

Captain 

F 

7th Inf. 


J. H. Potter. 

2d Lieut. 

I 

do. 


R. S. Cross. 

Sergeant 

C 

do. 


S. P. Oakley. 

Corporal 

K 

do. 

* 

M. Fleming. 

Private 

D 

do. 


C. Gersbenberger. 

do. 

E 

do. 


James Myers. 

do. 

E 

do. 


A. Renebeck . 

do. 

E 

7th Inf. 

Died Sept. 27. 

N. White. 

do. 

K 

do. 


-Morron. 

Corporal 

K 

1st Art. 

Died Oct. 7. 

James Harvey. 

Private 

H 

4th Art. 

Died Sept. 28. 

Louis Kirk. 

do. 

Ph. 

La.Vol’s. 


J. W. Miller. 

do. 

Ph. 

do. 


W. Burton. 

do. 

Ph. 

do. 


M. Morton. 

do. 

Ph. 

do. 


--Basse. 

do. 

A 

2d Art. 

Badly wounded. 

Michael Noonan. 

do. 

H 

4th Art. 


Joseph Grey. 

do. 

H 

do. 


Stephen Edwards. 

do. 

G 

do. 


Theopolis Bowis. 

do. 

G 

do. 


James Lynch. 

do. 

A 

3d Art. 

Died Sept. 30. 

Mark Collins. 

do. 

A 

do. 


Dennis Kelly. 

do. 

A 

do. 


Amos Collins. 

do. 

A 

do. 


John Reinecke. 

do. 

A 

do. 


Isaac Dyer. 

do. 

A 

do. 


-Boyd .. 

do. 

I 

4th Art. 

Died Oct. 9. 

- Ragan . 

Artificer 

I 

do. 















































































DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


201 


Gen. Worth’s Division —continued. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Comp. 

Regiment. 

WOUNDED. 

Paul Bunzey. 

Private 

K 

2d Art. 

George Wainwright... 

2d Lieut. 

A 

8th Inf. 

-Rock. 

Sergeant 

B 

do. 

-Willis. 

do. 

D 

do. 

- Marshall. 

do. 

D 

do. 

R. Riley. 

Lauce Tacey. 

Private 

E 

do. 

do. 

H 

do. 

James McKnight. 

do. 

II 

do. 


Remarka. 


COL. HAY’S REGIMENT. 


Names. 


Herman S. Thomas. 

-Armstrong. 

Fielding Alston. 

John P. Waters. 

C. D. De Witt. 

Oliver Jenkins. 

J. F. Minter. 

Thomas Law. 

John Rabb.. 

William E. Reese. 

Daniel McCarty. 

J. W. D. Austin.. 

Jesse Perkins. 

N. P. Browning.. 

-Roundtree. 

J. B. Walker. 

William Carley. 

R. A. Gillespie. 

Gilbert Brush. 

John M. Fullerton. 

J. B. Barry. 

F. F. Keys .. 

* J. Buchanan, H. P. Lyon, 
duty, and are supposed to be killed. 


Rank. 

Comp. 

Remarks. 

Private 

A 

Killed, Sept. 22 

do. 

A 

Badly wounded 

do. 

A 

do. 

do. 

A 

do. 

do. 

A 

do. 

do. 

A 

Slightly do. 

do. 

A 

do. 

do. 

A 

do. 

do. 

C 

do. 

Lieutenant 

D 

do. 

Private 

D 

Killed. 

do. 

E 

Killed, 21st. 

do. 

E 

Slightly wound. 

do. 

F 

do. 

Sergeant 

G 

do. 

Corporal 

H 

do. 

Private 

H* 

Badly do. 

Captain 

I 

Killed. 

Private 

I 

Slightly wound. 

Corporal 

K 

Killed. 

Sergeant 

Iv 

Slightly wound. 

Private 

K 

do. 


and C. W. Tufts were left behind on special 


COL. WOOD’S REGIMENT OF TEXAS RANGERS, 

Operating in the eastern part of the city on the 23 d. 

Killed —George Short and Thomas Gregory. 

Wounded —Baker Barton, Charles G. Davenport, Ira Grisby, and Calvin 
Reese. 


































































202 


OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


RECAPITULATION. 

Names of the commissioned officers killed and wounded during the operations be¬ 
fore Monterey, Mexico, from September 21 to September 23, 1846, inclusive. 

Killed. — Sept. 21.—J. S. Woods, bvt. 1st Lieut., 2d Infantry; L. N. Mor¬ 
ris, Capt., 3d Infantry; George P. Field, Capt., 3d Infantry; P. N. Barbour, 
Capt. and bvt. Major, 3d Infantry; D. S. Irwin, 1st Lieut, and Adj., 3d In¬ 
fantry; R. Hazlitt, 2d Lieut., 3d Infantry; C. Hoskins, 1st Lieut, and Adj., 
4th Infantry; H. McKavett, Capt., 8th Infantry; W. H. Watson, Lieut. Col., 
Balt, and Wash, volunteers; M. Hett, 1st Lieut., 1st Ohio regiment; W. B. 
Allen, Capt., 1st Ten. regiment; S. N. Putnam, 2d Lieut., 1st Ten. regiment. 

Wounded. — Sept. 21.—W. G. Williams, Capt., Top. Engineers, mortally; 
J. H. F. Mansfield, bvt. Major, Engineers, severely; J. L. Abercrombie, bvt. 
Major, 1st Infantry, slightly; J. H. Lamotte, Capt., 1st Infantry, severely; 
J. C. Terrett, 1st Lieut., 1st Infantry, mortally; R. Dilworth, 2d Lieut., 1st 
Infantry, mortally; W. W. Lear, Major, 3d Infantry, dangerously; H. Bain- 
bridge, Capt., 3d Infantry, slightly; R. H. Graham, 1st Lieut., 4th Infantry, 
dangerously; N. B. Rossell, 1st Lieut., 5th Infantry, slightly. 

Sept. 22.—J. H. Potter, 2d Lieut., 7th Infantry, severely; George Wain- 
wright, 2d Lieut., 8th Infantry, severely. 

Sept. 23.—R. C. Gatlin, Capt., 7th infantry, severely. 

Sept. 21.—W. O. Butler, Major Gen., volunteer service, severely; A. M. 
Mitchell, Col., 1st Ohio regiment, severely; A. W. Armstrong, Adjutant, 
1st Ohio regiment, severely; James George, Capt., 1st Ohio regiment, 
slightly; Lewis Matter, 1st Lieut., 1st Ohio regiment, slightly; A. McCarty, 
2d Lieut., 1st Ohio regiment, slightly; N. H. Niles, 2d Lieut., 1st Ohio regi¬ 
ment, slightly; R. B. Alexander, Major, 1st Ten. regiment, severely; J. L. 
Scudder, 1st Lieut., 1st Ten. regiment, severely; G. H. Nixon. 1st Lieut., 
1st Ten. regiment, slightly ; J. C. Allen, 2d Lieut., 1st Ten. regiment, 
severely; A. K. McClung, Lieut. Col., Miss, regiment, severely; R. N. 
Downing, Capt., Miss, regiment, slightly; H. F. Cook, 1st Lieut., Miss, 
regiment, slightly; R. H. Arthur, 2d Lieut., Miss, regiment, slightly. 

Sept. 22.—R. A. Gillespie, Capt., 1st Texas regiment, mortally; W. E. 
Reese, 1st Lieut., 1st Texas regiment. 

Sept. 23.—L. S. Howard, 2d Lieut., Miss, regiment, severely. 

The returns of the killed, wounded, and missing, show the following 


results : 

Commissioned officers. 43 

Non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates.447 

Missing. 2 

Making a total of... 492 


MUNITIONS CAPTURED AT MONTEREY. 

Park of Artillery.—Division of the North. 

Invoice of Artillery, Arms, Ammunition, and other Munitions of War, 
given in virtue of the articles of capitulation, signed September 24, 1846. 

Pieces of Artillery with Equipments and Sets of Arms. 

2 4-pounders, culverine, mounted. 

5 4-pounders. 

4 7-inch howitzers. ' 

l 12-pounder, dismounted. 











DESPATCHES OF GEN. TAYLOR. 


203 


1 6-pounder, mounted. 

1 8-pounder, mounted. 

1 4-pounder, dismounted, conical. 

1 3-pounder, dismounted. 

1 iron howitzer, unserviceable. 

1 bronze howitzer, unserviceable. 

7 rampart guns, (bronzed.) 

Arms for Infantry and Cavalry. 

149 English muskets. 

102 carbines. 

122 bayonets. 

305 gun barrels, (loose.) 

100 carbine barrels, (loose.) 

43 lances. 

Munitions for Infantry and Artillery. 

882 18-pound balls, (in pile.) 

329 12-pound balls, do. 

18 boxes blank 12-pound cartridges—12 in each. 

19 boxes 8-pound canister shot, do. 

40 rounds 8-pound canister shot, (loose.) 

3 boxes 8-pound blank cartridges. 

17 boxes 6-pound ball cartridges—fixed; 15 and 18 in each box. 

59 boxes 4-pound ball cartridges—fixed; 18 and 24 in each box. 

2 boxes 4-pound blank cartridges—100 in both together. 

123 rounds 3-pound ball cartridges. 

1^ boxes 7-inch howitzer blank cartridges. 

£ box 5^-inch do. do. 

15 boxes 6-pound canister cartridges—10 and 12 each. 

14 boxes 4-pound do. 12 and 16 each. 

40 8-pound balls. 

17 boxes 12-pound canister cartridges. 

79 rounds do. do. 

12 rounds 8-pound do. 

28 rounds do. do. (loose.) 

15 boxes 7-inch howitzer canister cartridges. 

70 rounds 7-inch do. (loose.) 

253 pound cartridges. 

27 boxes loaded grenades, 7-inch howitzer—3 in each box. 

20 boxes loaded grenades, 5^-inch howitzer—4 in each. 

350 loose grenades, (part loaded.) 

248 boxes musket-ball cartridges—1200 in each. 

13 boxes do. do. (double ball) 1200 in each. 

83 boxes cannon powder, (good)—12,450 lbs. net. 

35 boxes do. (damaged)—5,250 lbs. net—not examined, 

probably good. 

8 boxes musket powder, (damaged)—1200 lbs. net. 

2 boxes rifle powder, (fine) 300 lbs. net. 

680 pounds slow-match. 

70 quintals lead, in balls. [The reader can calculate this.] 

101 quintals lead, in bars. 

10 dozen signal rockets. 

Here follows a long list of tools, &c.] 



.204 OUR ARMY AT MONTEREY. 


Park of Artillery.—Post of the Citadel. 

Statement of Ordnance and. Ordnance Stores which are at this Post an the 24 th 

of September, 1846. 

60,000 musket cartridges, with ball. 

494 12-pound blank cartridges. 

334 8-pound do. 

723 8-pound cartridges, with ball. 

294 6-pound do. 

201 7-inch howitzer blank cartridges. 

71 6-pound cartridges, with grape. 

171 12-pound canister shot. 

390 8-pound do. 

50 6-pound do. 

102 7-inch howitzer canister shot. 

112 7-inch do. loaded shells. 

218 12-pound balls, (loose.) 

710 12-pound priming-tubes, (paper.) 

1,200 8-pound do. do. 

160 6-pound do. do. 

300 4-pound do. do. 

15 port-fires. 

6 arobas slow-match, (150 lbs.) 

4 8-pounders. 

2 6-pounders. 

2 7-inch howitzers. 


LOSS OF THE MEXICANS AT MONTEREY. 

The loss of the Mexicans at Monterey will never be exactly known. 
Life with them appears to be of little value; a wounded soldier is never 
cared for, if he would upon recovery be incapable of again bearing arms. 
The reports of the military leaders with respect to losses are always made 
out incorrectly, their own being lessened, their enemy’s exaggerated. The 
loss of the Mexicans at Monterey must have been very considerable, pro¬ 
bably twice of that on our side. Gen. Ampudia, writing to the secretary 
of war, states the loss of the troops under his command, from the 19th 
to the 23d of September, to be as follows:—five officers and one hun¬ 
dred and seventeen privates killed; twenty-three officers and two hundred 
and twenty-one men wounded; one officer and eight men “ injured,” and 
sixty-three wounded; total, four hundred and thirty-eight. Probably twice 
the above number would be nearer the correct estimate; one hundred were 
known to have been killed and disabled in the “ Lancer charge” at the 
west end of the city; the destruction caused by our arms was proportion- 
ablv severe throughout the assault. 


% 


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